A COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF ACUTE MALNUTRITION TREATMENT USING READY TO USE THERAUPETIC FOODS

The prevalence of malnutrition and anemia is high in Uganda. Thirty three percent of children under 5 years of age, are stunted and 5 percent wasted. This study conducts a cost-effectiveness analysis of the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) program in the southwest region of Uganda. The analysis revealed that the cost per Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) saved is quite low at US$36. This estimate is below the range of cost per DALY of US$78 (2012 prices) that the World Bank (1993) recommended as an appropriate upper limit on the cost for health interventions in poor countries. The study concludes that program is cost-effective to be implemented in broad-scale, i.e. different children age groups. However, the results of the study can be applied directly to children under age five only.