COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE ACTIVITIES FOR HUMAN RABIES PREVENTION AND THE ACTIVITIES FOR CANINE RABIES CONTROL IN MOGI-GUAÇU MUNICIPALITY, STATE OF SAO PAULO, FROM 2000 TO 2004

Abstract

In this work, costs with human rabies prevention by postexposure prophylaxis and activities for canine rabies control in Mogi-Guaçu municipality were evaluated from 2000 to 2004 using information available in the National System of Injury Notification database (SINAN), as well as data from Rabies Control Program, supplied by the Center for Zoonoses Control. Data were compiled using Excel software spreadsheets and values in Reais (Brazilian currency), obtained annually (nominal values), were updated for values in 2006. The deflation index used was the Expanded Consumer Price Index (IPCA). In the period studied there were 4, 279 notifications of patients attacked by different of mammals having dogs as the main aggressor specie with 84.1% of total cases and male patients presented the highest exposure risk (48.2%), as well as patients in the age range 0 – 14 years old (35.2%). Post exposure rabies prophylaxis, including 3 vaccine doses and the observation of the aggressor dog, represented an estimated expense of R$ 43.829,97 or US$ 20,198.14. A five-dose vaccination scheme and vaccine plus equine rabies immunoglobulin had an estimated final cost of R$ 34.731,83 or US$16,005.54. In the cost composition for canine rabies control actions fuel was the most representative item, that is, R$ 52.629,92 or US$ 24,253.42. Average cost per animal considering actions focused on animal rabies control was 9.2 to 20.2 times lower than estimated values for post exposure human anti-rabies treatment. Official information available in database was enough to calculate the costs and benefits proposed. Cost benefit analysis of the activities for urban rabies prevention and/or control is important for the implementation of an awareness policy for dog owners and must be associated with educational programs.