The cost-effectiveness of Vancouver's supervised injection facility.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The cost-effectiveness of Canada's only supervised injection facility has not been rigorously evaluated. We estimated the impact of the facility on survival, rates of HIV and hepatitis C virus infection, referral to methadone maintenance treatment and associated costs.

Methods

We simulated the population of Vancouver, British Columbia, including injection drug users and persons infected with HIV and hepatitis C virus. The model used a time horizon of 10 years and the perspective of the health care system. We compared the situation of the supervised injection facility with one that had no facility but that had other interventions, such as needle-exchange programs. The effects considered were decreased needle sharing, increased use of safe injection practices and in

SUBMITTER: Bayoumi AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2582765 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature