title: Neglected tropical diseases: comparison of the costs of integrated and vertical preventive chemotherapy treatment in Niger.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study presents evidence on the cost of integrated preventive chemotherapy treatment (PCT) to control trachoma, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in Niger. Integrated PCT costs are compared with the costs of vertical PCT control.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analysed for the integrated PCT of 2008 and 2009 in six districts. Receipts, treatment registers, coverage forms and drug registers provided cost and treatment information. Economic costs of the time spent on campaign activities by government staff was derived from a survey of 56 staff. Integrated control costs were compared with vertical programmes undertaken in 2005 using 2009 constant prices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average economic cost of integrated PCT was US$0.19/treatment excluding drugs (US$0.38 for a district with two drug treatments). The average financial cost was US$0.09/treatment (US$0.18 for a district with two drug treatments).The average financial cost of vertical treatment was US$0.167 for trachoma, US$0.10 for schistosomiasis and STH and US$0.075 for lymphatic filariasis. The integrated programme had savings of 16% and 21% in programme costs in 2008 and 2009, respectively, compared with the vertical programmes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further work is needed to forecast the effectiveness of alternative long-term integrated treatment strategies for control and/or elimination of neglected tropical diseases.
authors.affiliation: Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.forename: Amadou
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garba
authors.forename: Kadri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boubacar
authors.forename: Youssouf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yayé
authors.forename: Hannatou
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sebongou
authors.forename: Arouna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barkire
authors.forename: Fiona M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Idrissa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mounkaila
authors.forename: Salissou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adamou
authors.forename: Maimouna Laurence B
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Jackou
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009548:Niger; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D014141:Trachoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D014330:Tropical Medicine / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods
keywords: Chemoprophylaxis; Cost effectiveness; Cost evaluation; Integrated control programme; Neglected tropical diseases; Niger