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Published on: January 28, 2019
Cost of rotavirus diarrhea for programmatic evaluation of vaccination in Vietnam
Arthorn Riewpaiboon1, Sunheang Shin2,3, Thi Phuong Mai Le4
1Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri Ayutthaya Road, Ratchathevi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. arthorn.rie@mahidol.ac.th.
Insights
The economic burden of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in Vietnamese children under five is substantial. Rotavirus infections significantly increase healthcare costs, impacting cost-effectiveness of interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of diarrhea-related hospitalizations and clinic visits in Vietnamese children under five.
- Estimating the economic burden of rotavirus-associated healthcare is crucial for public health planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the economic burden of rotavirus-associated formal healthcare encounters in Vietnamese children.
- To provide updated cost-of-illness data for economic evaluations.
Main Methods:
- A cost-of-illness study was conducted from a societal perspective.
- Data collected from 557 children under five with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) symptoms.
- Resource use and costs obtained via caregiver interviews and medical chart review.
Main Results:
- The mean total cost of AGE was $175; rotavirus-positive patients incurred higher costs ($217) than rotavirus-negative patients ($158).
- Rotavirus infection, patient age, and pre-visit oral rehydration solution use significantly affected costs.
- 41% of enrolled children tested positive for rotavirus.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates a substantial economic burden of AGE, including rotavirus disease, in Vietnam.
- Updated cost estimates suggest more favorable vaccine cost-effectiveness compared to previous evaluations.
Background:
Rotavirus is the most common etiology of diarrhea-associated hospitalizations and clinic visits in Vietnamese children < 5 years old. To estimate the economic burden of rotavirus-associated formal healthcare encounters, an economic study was conducted.
Methods:
A cost-of-illness study was performed from a societal perspective. Data were collected from children below the age of five years who presented to a clinic or hospital with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Patient-specific information on resource use and cost was obtained through caregiver interviews and medical chart review. Costs are presented in 2014 US dollar ($).
Results:
A total of 557 children with symptoms of AGE were enrolled from March through June 2009, with mean age of 16.5 months. Of the 340 outpatients and 217 admitted patients enrolled, 41 % tested rotavirus positive. It was found that, from a societal perspective, the mean total cost of AGE was $175. Costs of patients with and without rotavirus were $217 and $158, respectively. From multiple regression analysis, it was found that rotavirus infection, patient age and receiving oral rehydration solution before visiting health facility had significant effect on the costs.
Conclusions:
This study clearly demonstrated substantial economic burden of AGE including rotavirus disease. They were significantly greater than the previously reported cost estimates in Vietnam. These updated costs of illness result in more favorable vaccine cost-effectiveness than in previous economic evaluations.
