The cost effectiveness and impact of an optimised TB diagnosis intervention on incidence, prevalence and mortality due to TB in Malawi

Sub-optimal diagnosis and treatment pathways for tuberculosis (TB) in developing countries limit the progress that can be made to end TB epidemics. These pathways cause poor people to face high costs when seeking diagnosis and treatment for TB. New TB diagnosis strategies are being tested in Malawi, including computer-aided chest X-ray diagnosis (TB-CAD), which provides accurate and rapid TB screening. However, it is not known if TB-CAD would be cost-effective in improving TB control if extended nationwide, or whether it would offer equal benefits between the poorest and least poor in society.

My research will use data from the Pragmatic randomised study to optimise screening, prevention and care for tuberculosis in Malawi (PROSPECT) study to model the cost and impact of scaling-up TB-CAD in Malawi. 

The results will provide evidence for policy makers on whether TB-CAD can reduce the amount of people who die from TB, and whether implementation strategies that favour the poor are needed in the health system.