Perinatal HIV transmission and the cost-effectiveness of screening at 14 weeks gestation, at the onset of labour and the rapid testing of infants

Table 3 Cost Variables (HIV Treatment – Child) used in model with 'baseline', 'low' and 'high' values, and sources

Variable	Baseline (Low, High)	Source
Prophylactic antiretroviral medications per week	$150 ($112.50, $187.50)	[40]
Duration prophylactic medications (weeks)	6 (4.5,7.5)	[2, 18, 44]
Duration prophylactic medications (weeks) for false positives	2 (0, 4)	[18]
# of HIV PCR tests – prophylactic period	4 (2, 6)	[18]
# of Elisas performed in prophylactic period	2 (0, 4)	[18]
# of physician consults during prophylactic period	19 (14, 24)	[18, 44]
# of physician consultations in prophylactic period for false positives	2 (0, 4)	[18]
Length of physician consult (hours)	0.25 (0.18, 0.31)	[18, 44]
CD4+ cell count – # per month HIV+ infant	0.33 (0.25, 0.5)	[18, 45]
Viral load – # per month HIV+ infant	0.33 (0.25, 0.5)	[18, 45]
Full blood count – # per month HIV+ infant	0.33 (0.25, 0.5)	[18, 45]
Confirmation HIV PCR test unit cost	$205 ($153.75, $256.25)	[40]
CD4+ cell count unit cost	$50 ($37.50, $62.50)	[40]
Viral Load unit cost	$205 ($153.75, $256.25)	[40]
Full Blood Count unit cost	$10 ($7.50, $12.50)	[40]
Cost ART for a HIV+ infant per month	$650 ($487.50, $812.50)	[40]
Infant formula cost per month	$81 ($60.75, $101.25)	[44]
# of months formula fed	12 (9, 15)	[44]
Lifetime health care costs of HIV+ infant – normal progressor	$408,375	[30]
Average cost per year – HIV phase	$4063 ($3047, $5078)	[18, 30]
Average cost per year – AIDS phase	$13,836 ($10,377, $17,295)	[18, 30]
Caregiver costs per year (HIV phase)	$9912 ($7434, $12,390)	[18, 31]
Caregiver costs per year (AIDS phase)	$27,604 ($20,703, $34,505)	[18, 31]

ISSN: 1471-2334