Calcium fortification of water during pregnancy for the prevention of preeclampsia in a low-income setting: a cost-effectiveness analysis

This database contains the model and the parameters of the study. It's is important to highlight that this is the first version of the model, and thus modifications are forthcoming. With the current database, the abstract is the following: Fortification of water with calcium during pregnancy is proposed as a suitable and promising intervention to increase calcium intake and prevent preeclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E). However, the evidence of the cost-effectiveness of this type of intervention is scarce. We conducted a model-based cost-effectiveness analysis to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of calcium pills and bottled water fortified with calcium, compared to the standard of care (defined as the use of MgSO4 as the standard treatment for PE/E), in the context of Nepal. Outcome measures were years of life gained (YLG) by mothers and newborns and healthcare costs. We considered a lifetime time horizon and health benefits were discounted at 3%. The cost-effectiveness threshold was set at the 2019 Nepal gross domestic product per capita (USD 1071). For calcium pills versus standard of care, ICER was USD 63 per YLG. By switching from calcium pills to bottled water fortified with calcium, the resulting ICER was USD 1702 per YLG. In conclusion, the bottle of water fortified with calcium was found not cost-effective at the defined threshold for Nepal. Complementary economic evidence adapted to other low-and middle income contexts is required to guide novel preventive interventions to improve maternal and child health based on the efficiency principle.

External deposit with Zenodo.