title: Cost-effectiveness analysis of rotavirus vaccination among Libyan children using a simple economic model.
abstract: Rotavirus infection is a major cause of childhood diarrhea in Libya. The objective of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of rotavirus vaccination in that country.
  
  
  
  We used a published decision tree model that has been adapted to the Libyan situation to analyze a birth cohort of 160,000 children. The evaluation of diarrhea events in three public hospitals helped to estimate the rotavirus burden. The economic analysis was done from two perspectives: health care provider and societal. Univariate sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess uncertainty in some values of the variables selected.
  
  
  
  The three hospitals received 545 diarrhea patients aged≤5 with 311 (57%) rotavirus positive test results during a 9-month period. The societal cost for treatment of a case of rotavirus diarrhea was estimated at US$ 661/event. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio with a vaccine price of US$ 27 per course was US$ 8,972 per quality-adjusted life year gained from the health care perspective. From a societal perspective, the analysis shows cost savings of around US$ 16 per child.
  
  
  
  The model shows that rotavirus vaccination could be economically a very attractive intervention in Libya.
authors.affiliation: Julius Centre, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; alkushis@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Salem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alkoshi
authors.affiliation: International Institute for Global Health, United Nations University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nimetcan Mehmet
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Orhun
authors.affiliation: Julius Centre, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Maznah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahlui
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003663:Decision Trees; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000191:economics*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008002:Libya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D018803:Models, Economic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines
keywords: Libya; cost-effectiveness; diarrhea; rotavirus; vaccination