Cost-effectiveness of a simplified acute malnutrition program: a secondary analysis of the OptiMA randomized clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

ABSTRACT: Acute malnutrition (AM) causes large loss of life and disability in children in Africa. Researchers are testing innovative approaches to increase the efficiency of treatment programs This paper presents results of a cost-effectiveness analysis of one such program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) based on a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial Optimizing Treatment for Acute Malnutrition (OptiMA), conducted in DRC in 2018-20. A total of 896 children aged 6-59 months with a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) <125 mm or with oedema were treated and followed for 6 months. The cost-effectiveness of OptiMA using ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) at a tapered dose was compared with the standard national program in which severe cases (SAM) received RUTF proportional t

SUBMITTER: Resch SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11886841 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature