Browsing by Author "Dowdy, D."

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    Higher cost of implementing XpertW MTB/RIF in Ugandan peripheral settings: implications for cost-effectiveness
    (The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease, 2016) Hsiang, E.; Little, K. M.; Haguma, P.; Hanrahan, C. F.; Katamba, A.; Cattamanchi, A.; Davis, J. L.; Vassall, A.; Dowdy, D.
    Initial cost-effectiveness evaluations of Xpertw MTB/RIF for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis have not fully accounted for the realities of implementation in peripheral settings. OBJECTIVE : To evaluate costs and diagnostic outcomes of Xpert testing implemented at various health care levels in Uganda. DESIGN: We collected empirical cost data from five health centers utilizing Xpert for TB diagnosis, using an ingredients approach. We reviewed laboratory and patient records to assess outcomes at these sites and10 sites without Xpert.We also estimated incremental costeffectiveness of Xpert testing; our primary outcome was the incremental cost of Xpert testing per newly detected TB case. RESULT S : Themean unit cost of anXpert testwasUS$21 based on a mean monthly volume of 54 tests per site, although unit cost varied widely (US$16–58) and was primarily determined by testing volume. Total diagnostic costs were 2.4-fold higher in Xpert clinics than in non- Xpert clinics; however, Xpert only increased diagnoses by 12%. The diagnostic costs of Xpert averaged US$119 per newly detectedTB case, butwere as high asUS$885 at the center with the lowest volume of tests. CONCLUS ION: Xpert testing can detect TB cases at reasonable cost, but may double diagnostic budgets for relatively small gains, with cost-effectiveness deteriorating with lower testing volumes.
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    Patterns of usage and preferences of users for tuberculosis related text messages and voice calls in Uganda
    (The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2018) Ggita, J. M.; Ojok, C.; Meyer, A. J.; Farr, K.; Shete, P. B.; Ochom, E.; Turimumahoro, P.; Babirye, D.; Mark, D.; Dowdy, D.; Ackerman, S.; Armstrong-Hough, M.; Nalugwa, T.; Ayakaka, I.; Moore, D.; Haberer, J. E.; Cattamanchi, A.; Katamba, A.; Davis, J. L.
    Little information exists about mobile phone usage or preferences for tuberculosis (TB) related health communications in Uganda. METHODS : We surveyed household contacts of TB patients in urban Kampala, Uganda, and clinic patients in rural central Uganda. Questions addressed mobile phone access, usage, and preferences for TB-related communications. We collected qualitative data about messaging preferences. RESULT S : We enrolled 145 contacts and 203 clinic attendees. Most contacts (58%) and clinic attendees (75%) owned a mobile phone, while 42% of contacts and 10% of clinic attendees shared one; 94% of contacts and clinic attendees knew how to receive a short messaging service (SMS) message, but only 59% of contacts aged745 years (vs. 96% of contacts aged ,45 years, P¼0.0001) did so. All contacts and 99% of clinic attendees were willing and capable of receiving personal- health communications by SMS. Among contacts, 55% preferred detailed messages disclosing test results, while 45% preferred simple messages requesting a clinic visit to disclose results. CONCLUS IONS : Most urban household TB contacts and rural clinic attendees reported having access to a mobile phone and willingness to receive TB-related personal-health communications by voice call or SMS. However, frequent phone sharing and variable messaging abilities and preferences suggest a need to tailor the design and monitoring of mHealth interventions to target recipients.