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Table 2 Model parameters and values used during sensitivity analysis

From: Estimating the cost-effectiveness of detecting cases of chronic hepatitis C infection on reception into prison

Parameter

Baseline value

Sensitivity

Source (where available)

λ0 = force of infection for new initiates

0.1608

0.1314–0.1942

[13]

λ1 = force of infection for experienced IDUs

0.0526

0.0310–0.0863

[13]

Cost of Doctor

£3.49/min (£209.40/hr)

 

GP:/home visit/min With Qualification costs With direct care staff costs[23]

Cost of Nurse

£54/hour

 

District Nurse (midpoint grade G)/hr with patient + extra costs[23]

Time Taken for BBV lecture/prisoner

10 patients/hr

1 patient/hr – 20 patients/hr

[9]

% Nurse time

50%

0–100%

 

% Doctor time

50%

0–100%

 

Time taken to verbal test on reception into prison

5 min

1–15 min

[24]

% Nurse time

50%

0–100%

[24]

% Doctor time

50%

0–100%

[24]

% Known HCV positive and say so

55% (midpoint)

23%–83%

23%[10], 83%[16],

% never received a positive HCV test but say they are HCV positive

1%

0%–10%

 

% IDUs that report IDU use (current or ever)

75%

30–90%

Darke[17] reports that IDUs give reasonably reliable answers to questions about drug use.

% non-IDUs that report IDU use (current or ever)

0%

0–20%

 

Time Taken to Counsel prior to an ELISA test

25 min

10–60 min

25 min[3] 10–60 min[24]

% Nurse time

50%

0–100%

[24]

% Doctor time

50%

0–100%

[24]

Time taken to Administer ELISA test

5 min

1–10 min

 

% Nurse time

50%

0–100%

 

% Doctor time

50%

0–100%

 

Cost of ELISA test

£12

£5–20

Virus reference department, HPA, Colindale (2005)

% of those offered who accept ELISA testing

85%

10–100%

[24]

ELISA Sensitivity

97%

90–100%

[24]

ELISA Specificity

99%

90–100%

[24]

Time taken to administer PCR test

5 min

1–10 min

 

% Nurse Time

50%

0–100%

 

% Doctor Time

50%

0–100%

 

% of those offered who accept PCR testing

100%

50%

Assuming that those that accept an ELISA test will then accept a PCR

PCR Sensitivity

100%

99%–100%

[24]

PCR specificity

100%

99–100%

[24]

Cost of PCR test

£57

£50–80

Virus reference department, HPA, Colindale (2005)

Time taken to counsel the result of negative ELISA or PCR test

5 min

5–15 min

 

% Nurse time

50%

0–100%

 

% Doctor time

50%

0–100%

 

Time taken to counsel the result of a positive ELISA test

25 min

15–75 min

[24] 15–75 min[24]

% Nurse time

50%

0–100%

 

% Doctor time

50%

0–100%

 

Time taken to counsel the result of a positive PCR test

25 min

15–75 min

[24] 15–75 min[24]

% Nurse time

50%

0–100%

 

% Doctor time

50%

0–100%

 

Proportion infected with HCV that become HCV RNA positive

80%

54%–86%

[2,25,26]

Rate of HCV testing and diagnosis in the community

0.15

0.1–0.3

See text

Discount rate for costs

3.5%

0%–6%

HM Treasury[18]

Discount rate for benefits

3.5%

0%–6%

HM Treasury[18]