Conducting a state-level study to gauge the cost-effectiveness of detection and control methods for prevalent sexually transmitted diseases

The Foundation's Public Health Systems Research program was designed to help establish the field of public health systems research as a needed resource that will enable governmental health agencies to improve their performance. The objective of this study is to estimate the cost-effectiveness of sexually transmitted disease (STD) control activities for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. To help evidence-based practice, the cost effectiveness analysis will be conducted from the perspective of the Louisiana STD Control Program using recurrent direct costs associated with detecting the STD cases. In terms of prevalence rates, Louisiana ranks 1st for syphilis, 2nd for gonorrhea and 7th for chlamydia among all the 50 states. The STD Control Program uses selective screenings followed by partner tracing for syphilis cases, but screening plus treatment is the only strategy followed for controlling gonorrhea and chlamydia. This study will implement partner notification for gonorrhea and chlamydia on a pilot basis. The findings of this study will help to determine whether the implementation of partner notification for gonorrhea and chlamydia is a cost worthy option and whether the current practice for syphilis detection should be continued or modified. In addition, the research will also indicate the incremental yield of new STD cases with increasing intensity of partner notifications so that optimal level of attempts in partner notification can be determined. Estimates of resource needs and cost-effectiveness ratios for interventions will help improve financing of the program as well as resource allocation in STD control activities.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $199,965.00

Awarded on: 4/27/2010

Time frame: 5/1/2010 - 6/30/2012

Grant Number: 67618