Cost-effectiveness of social marketing of insecticide-treated nets for malaria control in the United Republic of Tanzania

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the costs and consequences of a social marketing approach to malaria control in children by means of insecticide-treated nets in two rural districts of the United Republic of Tanzania, compared with no net use. METHODS: Project cost data were collected prospectively from accounting records. Community effectiveness was estimated on the basis of a nested case-control study and a cross-sectional cluster sample survey. FINDINGS: The social marketing approach to the distribution of insecticide-treated nets was estimated to cost US$ 1560 per death averted and US$ 57 per disability-adjusted life year averted. These figures fell to US$ 1018 and US$ 37, respectively, when the costs and consequences of untreated nets were taken into account. CONCLUSION: The social marketing of insecticide-treated nets is an attractive intervention for preventing childhood deaths from malaria.

Keywords

• Bedding and linens
• Insecticides
• Social marketing
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Malaria
• Falciparum/prevention and control
• Case-control studies
• Cross-sectional studies
• United Republic of Tanzania