Cost-benefit analysis on the replacement program of ordinary syringes by auto-disposal syringes in China / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the feasibility of replacement of ordinary syringes by auto-disposal syringes (AD) in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sampling survey was conducted in Hebei province to collect data on the direct medical spending of hepatitis B and their Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) losses. The financial burden on hepatitis B was calculated based on the result of field survey as well as through data-base of the Second National Health Services Survey of MOH in 1998. The cost-benefit analysis was employed, in which the saving of the financial burden on hepatitis B patients attributing to unsafe injections was taken as the benefit of intervention and the increased expenditures of AD syringes as the costs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total financial disease burden of Hepatitis B in China in 2001 was between RMB 16.19 and 20.17 billion Yuan and the financial disease burden per patient was between RMB 1755.38 and 1409.64 Yuan. Study on the cost-benefit analysis in the replacement intervention program showed high financial feasibility. The Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of the measure was between 32.46 and 97.39, which was bigger in rural areas than that in cities. The direct BCR was less than one when the price gap between ordinary syringe and AD exceeded RMB 0.24 Yuan.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The intervention of safe injection practice through universal usage of AD to replace ordinary syringe seemed to be applicable due to its high potential economic benefits.</p>