TY - JOUR
T1 - Cost assessment of a program for laboratory testing of plasma trans-fatty acids in Thailand
AU - Datta, Biplab Kumar
AU - Aekplakorn, Wichai
AU - Chittamma, Anchalee
AU - Meemeaw, Pornchai
AU - Vesper, Hubert
AU - Kuiper, Heather C.
AU - Steele, Lindsay
AU - Cobb, Laura K.
AU - Li, Chaoyang
AU - Husain, Muhammad Jami
AU - Ketgudee, Lalida
AU - Kostova, Deliana
AU - Richter, Patricia
N1 - Funding Information:
This analysis was in conjuction with Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of Vital Strategies. Resolve to Save Lives is funded by grants from Bloomberg Philanthropies ; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ; and Gates Philanthropy Partners , which is funded with support from the Chan Zuckerberg Foundation .
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors
PY - 2021/11
Y1 - 2021/11
N2 - Objectives: Intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Assessment of TFA exposure in the population is key for determining TFA burden and monitoring change over time. One approach for TFA monitoring is measurement of TFA levels in plasma. Understanding costs associated with this approach can facilitate program planning, implementation and scale-up. This report provides an assessment of costs associated with a pilot program to measure plasma TFA levels in Thailand. Study design: Cost analysis in a laboratory facility in Thailand. Methods: We defined three broad cost modules: laboratory, personnel, and facility costs, which were further classified into sub-components and into fixed and variable categories. Costs were estimated based on the number of processed plasma samples (100–2700 in increments of 50) per year over a certain number of years (1–5), in both USD and Thai Baht. Total cost and average costs per sample were estimated across a range of samples processed. Results: The average cost per sample of analyzing 900 samples annually over 5 years was estimated at USD186. Laboratory, personnel, and facility costs constitute 67%, 23%, and 10% of costs, respectively. The breakdown across fixed costs, such as laboratory instruments and personnel, and variable costs, such as chemical supplies, was 60% and 40%, respectively. Average costs decline as more samples are processed: the cost per sample for analyzing 100, 500, 1500, and 2500 samples per year over 5 years is USD1351, USD301, USD195; and USD177, respectively. Conclusions: Laboratory analysis of plasma TFA levels has high potential for economies of scale, encouraging a long-term approach to TFA monitoring initiatives, particularly in countries that already maintain national biometric repositories.
AB - Objectives: Intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Assessment of TFA exposure in the population is key for determining TFA burden and monitoring change over time. One approach for TFA monitoring is measurement of TFA levels in plasma. Understanding costs associated with this approach can facilitate program planning, implementation and scale-up. This report provides an assessment of costs associated with a pilot program to measure plasma TFA levels in Thailand. Study design: Cost analysis in a laboratory facility in Thailand. Methods: We defined three broad cost modules: laboratory, personnel, and facility costs, which were further classified into sub-components and into fixed and variable categories. Costs were estimated based on the number of processed plasma samples (100–2700 in increments of 50) per year over a certain number of years (1–5), in both USD and Thai Baht. Total cost and average costs per sample were estimated across a range of samples processed. Results: The average cost per sample of analyzing 900 samples annually over 5 years was estimated at USD186. Laboratory, personnel, and facility costs constitute 67%, 23%, and 10% of costs, respectively. The breakdown across fixed costs, such as laboratory instruments and personnel, and variable costs, such as chemical supplies, was 60% and 40%, respectively. Average costs decline as more samples are processed: the cost per sample for analyzing 100, 500, 1500, and 2500 samples per year over 5 years is USD1351, USD301, USD195; and USD177, respectively. Conclusions: Laboratory analysis of plasma TFA levels has high potential for economies of scale, encouraging a long-term approach to TFA monitoring initiatives, particularly in countries that already maintain national biometric repositories.
KW - Cost assessment
KW - Plasma assay
KW - Thailand
KW - Trans fatty acid
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U2 - 10.1016/j.puhip.2021.100199
DO - 10.1016/j.puhip.2021.100199
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85122679686
SN - 2666-5352
VL - 2
JO - Public Health in Practice
JF - Public Health in Practice
M1 - 100199
ER -