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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Comparative cost assessment of the Kato-Katz and FLOTAC techniques for soil-transmitted helminth diagnosis in epidemiological surveys
Parasites and Vectors, Volume 3, No. 1, Article 71, Year 2010
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Description
Background: The Kato-Katz technique is widely used for the diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in epidemiological surveys and is believed to be an inexpensive method. The FLOTAC technique shows a higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of light-intensity soil-transmitted helminth infections but is reported to be more complex and expensive. We assessed the costs related to the collection, processing and microscopic examination of stool samples using the Kato-Katz and FLOTAC techniques in an epidemiological survey carried out in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Methods: We measured the time for the collection of a single stool specimen in the field, transfer to a laboratory, preparation and microscopic examination using standard protocols for the Kato-Katz and FLOTAC techniques. Salaries of health workers, life expectancy and asset costs of materials, and infrastructure costs were determined. The average cost for a single or duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears and the FLOTAC dual or double technique were calculated. Results: The average time needed to collect a stool specimen and perform a single or duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears or the FLOTAC dual or double technique was 20 min and 34 sec (20:34 min), 27:21 min, 28:14 min and 36:44 min, respectively. The total costs for a single and duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears were US$ 1.73 and US$ 2.06, respectively, and for the FLOTAC double and dual technique US$ 2.35 and US$ 2.83, respectively. Salaries impacted most on the total costs of either method. Conclusions: The time and cost for soil-transmitted helminth diagnosis using either the Kato-Katz or FLOTAC method in epidemiological surveys are considerable. Our results can help to guide healthcare decision makers and scientists in budget planning and funding for epidemiological surveys, anthelminthic drug efficacy trials and monitoring of control interventions. © 2010 Speich et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Speich, Benjamin
Switzerland, Allschwil
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Swiss Tph
Switzerland, Basel
Universitat Basel
Knopp, Stefanie
Switzerland, Allschwil
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Swiss Tph
Switzerland, Basel
Universitat Basel
Mohammed, Khalfan Abdallah
Tanzania, Mkokotoni
Ministry of Health Zanzibar
Khamis, Iddi Simba
Tanzania, Mkokotoni
Ministry of Health Zanzibar
Rinaldi, Laura
Italy, Naples
Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico Ii
Cringoli, Giuseppe
Italy, Naples
Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico Ii
Rollinson, D.
United Kingdom, London
The Natural History Museum, London
Utzinger, Jürg
Switzerland, Allschwil
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Swiss Tph
Switzerland, Basel
Universitat Basel
Statistics
Citations: 138
Authors: 8
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1756-3305-3-71
e-ISSN:
17563305
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Tanzania