Table 5 Detailed Description of Cost Resource Collection: Methods
From: A costing analysis of B-GAP: index-linked HIV testing for children and adolescents in Zimbabwe
Cost Category | Primary Method of Data Collection | Details |
|---|---|---|
Recurrent Costs | ||
Personnel | HTS: Interviewing the Nurse-In-Charge Index-Linked-Testing: Interviews with the study coordinator and research assistants, in addition to direct observation | HTS: - When all clinic staff was recorded, clinic staff time was measured through direct observation, with a particular focus on the HTS. - A PCC at each clinic was observed for a full work day, by two separate individuals, and was also interviewed. Index-Linked-Testing: - Study personnel demarcate their time solely to index-linked testing activities. As a result time-tracking diaries were completed by study personnel to detail time spent on specific activities over the course of the study, and directly observed while in clinic also. - 6 research assistants completed diaries spanning 2 weeks each. - Direct observation was completed by 2 separate individuals, observing each of the 6 assistants for 1 day each. |
Consumables | HTS: Interviewing the primary care counsellors Index-Linked-Testing: Interviewing study research assistants | HTS: First, PCCs were asked to specify every consumable which was required for an HTS client. Then each item was catalogued by natural unit – ex. 500 g bag of absorbent cotton, 1 roll per bag. Following this, each consumable was quantified per consumption length – ex. one pack of cotton lasts on average, 3.5 weeks. Use was then calculated monthly (ex. 1.14 pack/month), and monthly use was then extrapolated to cover a one-year time period. Index-Linked-Testing: Method, same as above. |
Training | HTS: Interviewing the Nurse-in-Charge/District Medical Officer Index-Linked-Testing: Abstracting study accounting files and interview with study coordinator. | Frequency of training and refresher training sessions was noted. |
Transportation/ Duties | Index-Linked-Testing (only): Abstracting study accounting files | Frequency and amount of duties related to index-linked testing consumables was noted. |
Overheads | HTS: Interviewing nurse-in-charge Index-Linked-Testing: Abstracting study accounting files | HTS: Overheads were collected and then apportioned according to HTS usage, compared to the size of the other clinic departments. Index-Linked-Testing: Abstracting study accounting files. |
Lab-Processing | Index-Linked-Testing (only): Abstracting study accounting files | Frequency and amount of processing fees related to viral load suppression assessment was noted. |
Capital Costs | ||
Building/ Facility Space | HTS: Direct observation and physically pacing/spacing the clinic. | The area of the clinic and HTS were manually measured. |
Furniture and Equipment | HTS: Direct observation and recording Index-Linked-Testing: Direct observation, recording and abstracting study accounting files | Furniture and equipment directly involved in service provision were physically counted and recorded. |
Intervention Start – Up | Index-Linked-Testing (only): Abstracting study accounting files | Frequency and financial resources invested in initial RA training, as well as RA rapid diagnostic and OMT testing training, was noted. |