Measuring the impacts of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing and piloting approaches for the valuation of outcomes associated with sexually transmitted infections in order to construct quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for use in economic evaluation.
IRAS ID
194331
Contact name
Chidubem Ogwulu Chriscasimir
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
Sexually transmitted infections(STI) are a considerable threat to public health worldwide. Chlamydia infection, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis is the commonest STI of bacterial origin, globally and in the United Kingdom (UK). In the UK, the prevalence of Chlamydia is highest in people aged 15 to 25 years. The infection is often asymptomatic at onset, but if detected early is easily treated.Hence screening is recommended for asymptomatic sexually active young adults in many countries. \nMany interventions have been proposed for the prevention and control of Chlamydia. To aid policy-makers in deciding on funding among these interventions, economic evaluations are carried out. Economic evaluations involve analysing and comparing two or more alternative interventions in terms of both their costs and effects to show how cost-effective they are. In the UK, key decision-making bodies such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) require the results of economic evaluations to be presented as cost per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Previous economic evaluations have reported their results as outcomes averted, a term which is difficult to interpret by policy-makers. Those that presented their results as QALYslacked strong evidence on how these QALYs were calculated. Currently, policy decisions are being made and funding is being provided on the grounds that these interventions to prevent or treat chlamydia are cost-effective. However, in reality we cannot be sure, due to the problems associated with the ways in which outcomes have been valued; therefore a robust outcome measure is needed\nThe objective of the project, therefore, is:\n- To pilot approaches for the measurement and valuation of outcomes associated with Chlamydia. \nThis objective will be achieved by conducting a face-to-face interview using a questionnaire, with patients who are attending a sexual health clinic. Prior to this study, we have defined the health states associated with Chlamydia infection and will now elicit preferences for these health states using conventional and modified approaches of direct valuation methods. Background socio-demographic information will also be elicited from the patients.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0052
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion