[Evaluation of vector control techniques: an economic approach]

Programs of disease control must be evaluated. Evaluation of these programs in terms of public health is straightforward but should be carried out in conjunction with economic evaluation to measure the cost effectiveness and cost-benefit ratio. The purpose of this report is to clarify the importance of economic evaluation by explaining why it is necessary, when it should be carried out, and what methods should be used. Program evaluation is a process with several steps. Each step is associated with specific indicators. Determining these indicators is a prerequisite for construction of the database needed for evaluation. Two methods are proposed for data analysis, i.e., a simple one for cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis and a more sophisticated one for impact analysis that must take into consideration treated and non-treated groups. Economic evaluation of disease control programs is as important as epidemiologic evaluation. However this evaluation cannot be carried out as a standalone procedure but only within a multidisciplinary framework.