Cost-effectiveness analysis of partner notification program for human immunodeficiency virus infection in Japan

Successful implementation of partner notification program (PNP) as a part of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategies in some developed countries motivated the execution of cost-effectiveness analysis of this program in Japan. Total number of HIV infected individuals and best estimated number of their partners in 1995 were used to elicit incremental cost-effectiveness ratio over no partner notification program. Index cases and their HIV positive partners world change their sex practice to safer one, thus preventing HIV transmission at a certain rate. This was translated to prevention of certain number of new HIV carriers and finally life years gained were calculated for it. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was US$ 4,930 per life year gained. Sensitivity analysis indicated that partner notification program was cost-effective over a wide range of assumptions. These results compare favorably with other medical interventions in Japan. In conclusion, the results of this analysis strongly support the implementation of partner notification program as a part of HIV prevention strategies in Japan.