The aim of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness
of reducing tegumentary leishmaniasis
transmission using insecticide-impregnated
clothing and curtains, and implementing training
programs for early diagnosis. A societal perspective
was adopted, with outcomes assessed in
terms of costs per disability adjusted life years
(DALY). Simulation was structured as a Markov
model and costs were expressed in American dollars
(US).Theincrementalcost−effectivenessratioofeachstrategywascalculated.One−wayandmultivariatesensitivityanalyseswereperformed.Theincrementalcost−effectivenessratioforearlydiagnosisstrategywasestimatedatUS
156.46 per DALY averted, while that of prevention
of transmission with insecticide-impregnated
curtains and clothing was US$ 13,155.52 per
DALY averted. Both strategies were more sensitive
to the natural incidence of leishmaniasis, to
the effectiveness of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis
treatment and to the cost of each strategy. Prevention
of vectorial transmission and early diagnosis
have proved to be cost-effective measures.Fil: Orellano, Pablo Wenceslao. Ministerio de Salud de Misiones. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical; Argentina;Fil: Vazquez, n. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina;Fil: Salomon, Oscar Daniel. Ministerio de Salud de Misiones. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical; Argentina