Economic analysis of diagnosis and treatment in the malaria control project, Myanmar : a methodological approach

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to assess the cost and effectiness of two diagnostic technologies in the malaria control project, Myanmar. This study analyses cost-effectiveness based on three scenarios related to the level of accuracy of diagnostic tests and drug resistance status. The major task of this study is to design methodology to evaluate the cost and effectiveness of the existing technolgy, microscopy and new technology, dipstick diagnosis, with some application of hypothetical and actual data. In order to explore alternative financing in malaria case management, this study attempts to analyze and investigate factors that determine patients' willingness to pay for the service. A set questionnarie was designed to obtain information on patient costs, treatment seeking behavior and willingness to pay for diagnosis and treatment of malaria. This study emphasizes crucial issues of assessing alternative diagnosic technology for malaria in the midst of changing strategies in malaria control activities to improve case management, and the current financing issues of the halth sector in Myanmar based on the view of sustainability.