A Strategy for Accurate Collection of Incremental Cost Data for Cost-Effectiveness Analyses in Field Trials

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Abstract
With many community field trials or education interventions, the cost-effectiveness analyses are not given a high priority. However, this type of evaluation is important for purposes of future adoption of the intervention. The accurate measurement of costs can best be served by prospective collection of data This article describes a methodology for collection of cost data that coincides with the intervention implementation. This cost analysis strategy has seven discrete steps. The Minimal Contact Education for Cholesterol Change study is used as an example of the use of this strategy. This intervention provides cholesterol education at six different levels of intensity at four different sectors. The intensity levels vary along a continuum from very little education input to a maximum level of intervention that might be practical in a screening setting. The cost-effectiveness analysis component of the study will identify the incremental cost- effectiveness of each intervention along the continuum.