Estimated cost-savings from integrated care for HIV, diabetes and hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: a cost-minimisation analysis.

BACKGROUND

In a cluster-randomised trial in Uganda and Tanzania, we showed that integrated management, compared with standard vertical care, could achieve a high standard of care for diabetes and hypertension without adversely affecting outcomes for HIV. However, evidence on the value for money of integrated care is needed to inform policy.

OBJECTIVE

Our economic evaluation aimed to establish the value for money of integrated care compared with vertical care for HIV, diabetes and hypertension.

METHODS

A societal perspective was adopted, considering provider and patient costs for integrated and standard care in Uganda and Tanzania over one year. Provider costs were estimated for 6714 participants based on five representative health facilities per country. Patient costs were captured via questionnaire from a sub-sample of 2708 participants. Provider costs at scale were estimated using national prevalence and utilisation data. Key inputs were varied in two-way sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

Among participants with single conditions, mean provider and patient costs per patient-visit did not differ significantly between integrated and standard care. Among participants with multiple conditions, mean provider and patient costs per patient-visit were, respectively, Int$18.67 (95%CI 10.89-26.45, p < 0.0001) and Int$5.86 (95%CI 2.57-9.16, p = 0.0005) lower in integrated clinics. If scaled up, integrated care could save providers Int$229 million in Uganda and Int$72 million in Tanzania. From a societal perspective, integrated care for participants with multiple conditions generated mean cost-savings of Int$41.54 (95%CI 29.42-53.67, p < 0.0001) per patient-visit.

CONCLUSION

Integrated care is cost-saving from a societal perspective and should be considered for scale-up in Tanzania, Uganda and similar settings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN43896688.