Factores de riesgo nutricionales asociados con el desarrollo de obesidad en militares / Nutritional risk factors associated with the development of obesity in military population

Resumen Introducción: La correcta alimentación de los soldados es clave para mantener la salud y el buen rendimiento, actualmente, la obesidad constituye un problema de salud pública calificada como la "epidemia del siglo". Objetivo: Identificar los factores de riesgo nutricionales asociados al sobrepeso y obesidad en una Brigada del Ejército Mexicano. Material y métodos: Se determinó la fuerza de asociación entre los factores de riesgo nutricionales y el desarrollo de sobrepeso y obesidad. La asociación se realizó mediante X2 y OR, y la diferencia de medias con prueba Z. Resultados: Se observó diferencia entre casos y controles en consumo de calorías (z=9.34, P<0.01), proteínas (z=10.22, P<0.01), grasas (z=8.84, P<0.0) y carbohidratos (z=7.04, P<0.01). El consumo de verduras y frutas <1 vez/semana, y el de bebidas azucaradas >1 vez/semana fueron factores de riesgo para desarrollar sobrepeso y obesidad (X2=4.406; p=0.036; OR=2.1), (X2= 5.6; p=0.018; OR=2.25), (X2=7.368; p=0.007; OR=4.5), respectivamente. El no consumir la mayor cantidad de calorías en el comedor y el que la cafetería y la calle sean el sitio de mayor consumo de calorías fueron factores de riesgo (X2=14.44; p=0.000; OR=4.3), (X2=13.74; p=0.000; OR=5.56) y (X2=6.375; p=0.012; OR =4.12), respectivamente. Conclusiones: El consumo menor o igual a una vez a la semana de verduras y frutas, el consumir bebidas azucaradas más de una vez a la semana, el consumir la mayor cantidad de calorías de la cafetería y de la calle y el no consumir la mayor cantidad de calorías en el comedor fueron factores de riesgo para desarrollar sobrepeso-obesidad.

Abstract Introduction: Correctly feeding soldiers is key to maintaining health and good performance. Obesity is currently a public health problem classified as the "epidemic of the century". Objective to identify the nutritional risk factors associated with overweight and obesity in a Mexican Army Brigade. Material and methods: The strength of association between nutritional risk factors and the development of overweight and obesity was determined. The association was made using X2 and OR, and the difference in means with the Z test. Results: Different differences between cases and controls in the consumption of calories (z = 9.34, P <0.01), proteins (z = 10.22, P <0.01), fats (z = 8.84, P <0.0) and carbohydrates (z = 7.04, P <0.01). Consumption of vegetables and fruits <1 time / week and consumption of sugary drinks> 1 time / week were risk factors for developing overweight and obesity (X2 = 4,406; p = 0.036; OR = 2.1), (X2 = 5.6 ; p = 0.018; OR = 2.25), (X2 = 7.368; p = 0.007; OR = 4.5), respectively. Failure to consume the highest amount of calories in the dining room and the fact that the cafeteria and the street are the site of the highest calorie consumption were risk factors (X2 = 14.44; p = 0.000; OR = 4.3), (X2 = 13.74; p = 0.000; OR = 5.56) and (X2 = 6.375; p = 0.012; OR = 4.12), respectively. Conclusions: Consumption less than or equal to once a week of vegetables and fruits, consumption of sugary drinks more than once a week, consumption of the greatest number of calories in the cafeteria and the street and non-consumption of the greatest amount of calories in the dining room were risk factors for developing overweight-obesity.

[Cost-effectiveness analysis of an alternative for the provision of primary health care for beneficiaries of Seguro Popular in Mexico]. / Costo-efectividad de una alternativa para la prestación de servicios de atención primaria en salud para los beneficiarios del Seguro Popular de México.

OBJECTIVE:: To estimate the cost-effectiveness ratio of public and private health care providers funded by Seguro Popular. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: A pilot contracting primary care health care scheme in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, was evaluated through a population survey to assess quality of care and detection decreased of vision. Costs were assessed from the payer perspective using institutional sources.The alternatives analyzed were a private provider with capitated and performance-based payment modalities, and a public provider funded through budget subsidies. Sensitivity analysis was performed using Monte Carlo simulations. RESULTS:: The private provider is dominant in the quality and cost-effective detection of decreased vision. CONCLUSIONS:: Strategic purchasing of private providers of primary care has shown promising results as an alternative to improving quality of health services and reducing costs.

[Diagnosis of the productive capacity of the IMSS regarding health technologies]. / Diagnóstico de la capacidad productiva del IMSS para la generación de tecnologías en salud.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the production capacity and performance in research and technological developments of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified and analyzed information of the legislation, human and financial resources, and infrastructure addressed for research and technological development of IMSS. We analyzed whether the information on the legal framework contained key features to boost research and technological development. Information on the human, financial, and infrastructure resources were obtained from official sources. The research productivity was identified by a bibliometric analysis in 2014; productivity in technological developments was identified by intellectual products. RESULTS: The legal framework of the IMSS has several areas for improvement to boost research and technological development, especially the guidelines for technology transfer. The IMSS has 438 researchers, 39 research units, and a budget of US$ 37.4 million for research and technological development. The rate of articles published per 10 researchers was 4.8; while rate patients was 1.8. CONCLUSIONS: The IMSS has a great potential to translate research into technological developments, it is only necessary to make some changes to the legal framework.

Costo-efectividad de una alternativa para la prestación de servicios de atención primaria en salud para los beneficiarios del Seguro Popular de México / Cost-effectiveness analysis of an alternative for the provision of primary health care for beneficiaries of Seguro Popular in Mexico

Resumen: Objetivo: Calcular la razón costo-efectividad de servicios públicos y privados contratados por el Seguro Popular en primer nivel de atención. Material y métodos: Se evaluó una experiencia piloto de contratación de servicios de primer nivel de atención a la salud en el estado de Hidalgo, México, midiendo, con base en una encuesta poblacional, la calidad general y la detección de disminución de visión. Se analizó la sensibilidad mediante simulaciones de Monte Carlo. Resultados: El prestador privado es dominante en calidad y costo-efectivo para la detección de disminución de visión. Conclusiones: La compra estratégica de prestadores privados de atención primaria es promisoria para mejorar los servicios de salud y reducir los costos.

Abstract: Objective: To estimate the cost-effectiveness ratio of public and private health care providers funded by Seguro Popular. Materials and methods: A pilot contracting primary care health care scheme in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, was evaluated through a population survey to assess quality of care and detection decreased of vision. Costs were assessed from the payer perspective using institutional sources.The alternatives analyzed were a private provider with capitated and performance-based payment modalities, and a public provider funded through budget subsidies. Sensitivity analysis was performed using Monte Carlo simulations. Results: The private provider is dominant in the quality and cost-effective detection of decreased vision. Conclusions: Strategic purchasing of private providers of primary care has shown promising results as an alternative to improving quality of health services and reducing costs.

Cost-Effectiveness of Blood Donation Screening for Trypanosoma cruzi in Mexico.

An estimated 2 million inhabitants are infected with Chagas disease in Mexico, with highest prevalence coinciding with highest demographic density in the southern half of the country. After vector-borne transmission, Trypanosoma cruzi is principally transmitted to humans via blood transfusion. Despite initiation of serological screening of blood donations or donors for T. cruzi since 1990 in most Latin American countries, Mexico only finally included mandatory serological screening nationwide in official Norms in 2012. Most recent regulatory changes and segmented blood services in Mexico may affect compliance of mandatory screening guidelines. The objective of this study was to calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for total compliance of current guidelines from both Mexican primary healthcare and regular salaried worker health service institutions: the Secretary of Health and the Mexican Institute for Social Security. We developed a bi-modular model to analyze compliance using a decision tree for the most common screening algorithms for each health institution, and a Markov transition model for the natural history of illness and care. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio based on life-years gained is US$ 383 for the Secretary of Health, while the cost for an additional life-year gained is US$ 463 for the Social Security Institute. The results of the present study suggest that due to incomplete compliance of Mexico's national legislation during 2013 and 2014, the MoH has failed to confirm 15,162 T. cruzi infections, has not prevented 2,347 avoidable infections, and has lost 333,483 life-years. Although there is a vast difference in T. cruzi prevalence between Bolivia and Mexico, Bolivia established mandatory blood screening for T.cruzi in 1996 and until 2002 detected and discarded 11,489 T. cruzi -infected blood units and prevented 2,879 potential infections with their transfusion blood screening program. In the first two years of Mexico's mandated program, the two primary institutions failed to prevent due to incomplete compliance more potential infections than those gained from the first five years of Bolivia's program. Full regulatory compliance should be clearly understood as mandatory for the sake of blood security, and its monitoring and analysis in Mexico should be part of the health authority's responsibility.

Medical Expenditure for Chronic Diseases in Mexico: The Case of Selected Diagnoses Treated by the Largest Care Providers.

BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases (CD) are a public health emergency in Mexico. Despite concern regarding the financial burden of CDs in the country, economic studies have focused only on diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. Furthermore, these estimated financial burdens were based on hypothetical epidemiology models or ideal healthcare scenarios. The present study estimates the annual expenditure per patient and the financial burden for the nine most prevalent CDs, excluding cancer, for each of the two largest public health providers in the country: the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). METHODS: Using the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012 (ENSANUT) as the main source of data, health services consumption related to CDs was obtained from patient reports. Unit costs for each provided health service (e.g. consultation, drugs, hospitalization) were obtained from official reports. Prevalence data was obtained from the published literature. Annual expenditure due to health services consumption was calculated by multiplying the quantity of services consumed by the unit cost of each health service. RESULTS: The most expensive CD in both health institutions was chronic kidney disease (CKD), with an annual unit cost for MoH per patient of US$ 8,966 while for IMSS the expenditure was US$ 9,091. Four CDs (CKD, arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and chronic ischemic heart disease) accounted for 88% of the total CDs financial burden (US$ 1.42 billion) in MoH and 85% (US$ 3.96 billion) in IMSS. The financial burden of the nine CDs analyzed represents 8% and 25% of the total annual MoH and IMSS health expenditure, respectively. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The financial burden from the nine most prevalent CDs, excluding cancer, is already high in Mexico. This finding by itself argues for the need to improve health promotion and disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment to ensure CD primary and secondary prevention. If the status quo remains, the financial burden could be higher.

[The strategic purchasing of health services: a big opportunity for the National Universal Health System]. / Compra estratégica de servicios de salud: una gran oportunidad para el Sistema Nacional de Salud Universal.

proposed to establish a service packages, whether through a single obligatory list or through the definition of a flexible, high priority set to be offered to specific populations according to their economic possibilities. For the strategic purchasing of services, two alternatives are proposed: to assign the fund either to a single national manager or to each of the existing public provider institutions, with the expectation that they would contract across each other and with private providers to fulfill their complementary needs.The proposal does not consider the risks and alternatives to a single tax contribution fund, which could have been suggested given that it is not an essential part of a National Universal Health System. However, it is necessary to discuss in more detail the roles and strategies for a national single-payer, especially for the strategic purchasing of high-cost and specialized interventions in the context of public and private providers. The alternative of allocating funds directly to providers would undermine the incentives for competition and collaboration and the capacity to steer providers towards the provision of high quality health services.It is proposed to focus the discussion of the reform of the national health system around strategic purchasing and the functions and structure of a single-payer as well as of agencies to articulate integrated health service networks as tools to promote quality and efficiency of the National Universal Health System. The inclusion of economic incentives to providers will be vital for competition, but also for the cooperation of providers within integrated, multi-institutional health service networks.Health professionals and sector policy specialists coordinated by the Centro de Estudios Espinosa Yglesi as in Mexico propose a policy to anchor the health system in primary care centered on the individual. The vision includes effective stewardship,solid financing, and the provision of services by a plurality of providers - including eventually those in the private sector. A unified approach to financing health through a unique, exclusively tax-based fund would be established. Alternatives are

Opportunity cost for early treatment of Chagas disease in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Given current neglect for Chagas disease in public health programs in Mexico, future healthcare and economic development policies will need a more robust model to analyze costs and impacts of timely clinical attention of infected populations. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A Markov decision model was constructed to simulate the natural history of a Chagas disease cohort in Mexico and to project the associated short and long-term clinical outcomes and corresponding costs. The lifetime cost for a timely diagnosed and treated Chagas disease patient is US$ 10,160, while the cost for an undiagnosed individual is US$ 11,877. The cost of a diagnosed and treated case increases 24-fold from early acute to indeterminate stage. The major cost component for lifetime cost was working days lost, between 44% and 75%, depending on the program scenario for timely diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In the long term, it is cheaper to diagnose and treat chagasic patients early, instead of doing nothing. This finding by itself argues for the need to shift current policy, in order to prioritize and attend this neglected disease for the benefit of social and economic development, which implies including treatment drugs in the national formularies. Present results are even more relevant, if one considers that timely diagnosis and treatment can arrest clinical progression and enhance a chronic patient's quality of life.

Recursos humanos para la atención de pacientes con diabetes en unidades de medicina familiar del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social / Human resources requirements for diabetic patients healthcare in primary care clinics of the Mexican Institute of Social Security

Objetivo. Evaluar las necesidades de recursos humanos (RH) para atender pacientes con diabetes en dos modelos de atención: convencional y específico para diabetes (DiabetIMSS) en clínicas de atención primaria del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Material y métodos. Investigación evaluativa; un grupo de expertos, en congruencia con las mejores prácticas clínicas, definió las actividades y tiempos que los RH requieren para atender a pacientes diabéticos. Seguidamente, se utilizó el método de planificación basado en evidencia ajustado por objetivos. Los RH estimados se contrastaron con los existentes para determinar la necesidad. Resultados. Para otorgar atención a los pacientes diabéticos en congruencia con su control metabólico, el modelo convencional requiere aumentar la plantilla de médicos (1.2 veces), nutriólogos (4.2 veces) y trabajadores sociales (4.1 veces); el modelo DiabetIMSS requiere mayores incrementos. Conclusiones. Es indispensable aumentar los RH en el primer nivel para otorgar atención basada en evidencia a pacientes diabéticos.

Objective. To estimate the requirements of human resources (HR) of two models of care for diabetes patients: conventional and specific, also called DiabetIMSS, which are provided in primary care clinics of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). Materials and methods. An evaluative research was conducted. An expert group identified the HR activities and time required to provide healthcare consistent with the best clinical practices for diabetic patients. HR were estimated by using the evidence-based adjusted service target approach for health workforce planning; then, comparisons between existing and estimated HRs were made. Results. To provide healthcare in accordance with the patients' metabolic control, the conventional model required increasing the number of family doctors (1.2 times) nutritionists (4.2 times) and social workers (4.1 times). The DiabetIMSS model requires greater increase than the conventional model. Conclusions. Increasing HR is required to provide evidence-based healthcare to diabetes patients.

[STI and HIV prevention in female sex workers at border communities in Central America]. / Acceso a servicios de prevención de ITS y VIH en trabajadoras sexuales en zonas fronterizas de Centroamérica.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze access to STI and HIV prevention services for female sex workers in border communities of Central America. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was carried out in a non-random sample of 558 sex workers, in border communities with and without prevention interventions related to information on human rights, sexual behavior and access to information on prevention/transmission, condoms, HIV testing, contraception, healthcare and condom use. A descriptive analysis of these variables was done and a logistic regression model was used, in order to identify factors associated with condom use. RESULTS: Female sex workers of communities with intervention had greater access to information on prevention (99 vs 87%), condoms (98 vs 75%), HIV testing (89 vs 61%), contraception (74 vs 65%), gynecological services (83 vs 57%), and condom use with clients, 3.9 (IC:1.2-12.7), compared to workers in communities without intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The observed differences must be considered in a more general framework related to sociocultural characteristics and population mobility in border contexts, as well as to the organization of healthcare services.

Acceso a servicios de prevención de its y vih en trabajadoras sexuales en zonas fronterizas de Centroamérica / STI and HIV prevention in female sex workers at border communities in Central America

OBJETIVO: Analizar el acceso a servicios preventivos de ITS/VIH en trabajadoras sexuales en zonas fronterizas de Centroamérica. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio cuasi experimental en una muestra no aleatoria de 558 trabajadoras sexuales, en zonas fronterizas de Centroamérica con y sin intervenciones relacionadas con información sobre derechos humanos, comportamiento sexual, acceso a información sobre prevención/transmisión, condones, pruebas de vih, anticoncepción, atención médica y uso de condón. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y se estimaron modelos de regresión logística para identificar factores asociados con el uso de condón. RESULTADOS: Las trabajadoras sexuales de comunidades con intervención presentaron mayor acceso a información preventiva (99 vs 87%), condones (98 vs 75%), pruebas de VIH (89 vs 61%), anticonceptivos (74 vs 65%), servicios ginecológicos (83 vs 57%) y mayor posibilidad -3.9 (IC:1.2-12.7)- de usar condón con clientes respecto a las que no tuvieron intervención. CONCLUSIONES: Las diferencias observadas deben considerarse en un marco relacionado con características socioculturales y de movilidad poblacional en contextos fronterizos, así como de organización de los servicios de salud.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze access to STI and HIV prevention services for female sex workers in border communities of Central America. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was carried out in a non-random sample of 558 sex workers, in border communities with and without prevention interventions related to information on human rights, sexual behavior and access to information on prevention/transmission, condoms, HIV testing, contraception, healthcare and condom use. A descriptive analysis of these variables was done and a logistic regression model was used, in order to identify factors associated with condom use. RESULTS: Female sex workers of communities with intervention had greater access to information on prevention (99 vs 87%), condoms (98 vs 75%), HIV testing (89 vs 61%), contraception (74 vs 65%), gynecological services (83 vs 57%), and condom use with clients, 3.9 (IC:1.2-12.7), compared to workers in communities without intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The observed differences must be considered in a more general framework related to sociocultural characteristics and population mobility in border contexts, as well as to the organization of healthcare services.

[Human resources requirements for diabetic patients healthcare in primary care clinics of the Mexican Institute of Social Security]. / Recursos humanos para la atención de pacientes con diabetes en unidades de medicina familiar del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the requirements of human resources (HR) of two models of care for diabetes patients: conventional and specific, also called DiabetIMSS, which are provided in primary care clinics of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An evaluative research was conducted. An expert group identified the HR activities and time required to provide healthcare consistent with the best clinical practices for diabetic patients. HR were estimated by using the evidence-based adjusted service target approach for health workforce planning; then, comparisons between existing and estimated HRs were made. RESULTS: To provide healthcare in accordance with the patients' metabolic control, the conventional model required increasing the number of family doctors (1.2 times) nutritionists (4.2 times) and social workers (4.1 times). The DiabetIMSS model requires greater increase than the conventional model. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing HR is required to provide evidence-based healthcare to diabetes patients.

Factores asociados con la búsqueda del servicio de interrupción legal del embarazo en la Ciudad de México, 2010 / Factors associated with the seeking of legal induced abortion services in Mexico City in 2010

OBJETIVO: Identificar factores asociados con la búsqueda del servicio de interrupción legal del embarazo (ILE) en la Ciudad de México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se utilizó un diseño casos-controles. Usuarias del servicio de ILE fueron definidas como casos, y usuarias de control prenatal con 13 o más semanas de gestación con un embarazo no deseado constituyeron los controles. Se ajustaron modelos de regresión logística condicional. RESULTADOS: Los años de escolaridad (RM=1.47, IC:1.04-2.07), la ocupación (estudiante, RM=7.31, IC:1.58-33.95; tener empleo remunerado, RM= 13.43, IC:2.04-88.54) y número de interrupciones de embarazo previas (RM=11.41, IC:1.65-79.07) se asociaron con la búsqueda de ILE. El factor de mayor peso fue la ocupación; las mujeres que trabajan tuvieron 13.4 veces mayor posibilidad de demandar el servicio de ILE. CONCLUSIONES: En el contexto de la Ciudad de México, mujeres con más educación y participación laboral activa utilizan más los servicios de ILE. Se requieren estrategias dirigidas a incrementar el uso de estos servicios por mujeres menos favorecidas.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with the seeking of the legal-interruption-pregnancy (LIP) services in Mexico City. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a case-control design. Users who utilized the LIP were defined as cases, while users of the antenatal care service with gestational age 13 or more weeks and who reported having an unwanted pregnancy were defined as controls. Logistic regressions were fitted to estimate odds ratios. RESULTS: Higher level of education (OR=1.47, 95% CI:1.04-2.07), women's occupation (being student OR=7.31, 95% CI:1.58-33.95; worker OR=13.43, 95% CI:2.04-88.54), and number of previous abortions (OR=11.41, 95% CI:1.65-79.07) were identified as factors associated with the lookup of LIP. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico City context, empowered women with a higher level of education, or having a work activity are the users of LIP services. Strategies for improving access of women with low empowerment conditions are needed.

[Factors associated with the seeking of legal induced abortion services in Mexico City in 2010]. / Factores asociados con la búsqueda del servicio de interrupción legal del embarazo en la Ciudad de México, 2010.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with the seeking of the legal-interruption-pregnancy (LIP) services in Mexico City. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a case-control design. Users who utilized the LIP were defined as cases, while users of the antenatal care service with gestational age 13 or more weeks and who reported having an unwanted pregnancy were defined as controls. Logistic regressions were fitted to estimate odds ratios. RESULTS: Higher level of education (OR=1.47, 95% CI:1.04-2.07), women's occupation (being student OR=7.31, 95% CI:1.58-33.95; worker OR=13.43, 95% CI:2.04-88.54), and number of previous abortions (OR=11.41, 95% CI:1.65-79.07) were identified as factors associated with the lookup of LIP. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico City context, empowered women with a higher level of education, or having a work activity are the users of LIP services. Strategies for improving access of women with low empowerment conditions are needed.

Unit costs for delivery of antiretroviral treatment and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV: a systematic review for low- and middle-income countries.

As antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV/AIDS is scaled up globally, information on per-person costs is critical to improve efficiency in service delivery and to maximize coverage and health impact. The objective of this study was to review studies on unit costs for delivery of adult and paediatric ART per patient-year, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) interventions per mother-infant pair screened or treated, in low- and middle-income countries. A systematic review was conducted of English, French and Spanish publications from 2001 to 2009, reporting empirical costing that accounted for at least antiretroviral (ARV) medicines, laboratory testing and personnel. Expenditures were analysed by country-income level and cost component. All costs were standardized to $US, year 2009 values. Several sensitivity analyses were conducted. Analyses covered 29 eligible, comprehensive, costing studies. In the base case, in low-income countries (LIC), median ART cost per patient-year was $US792 (mean: 839, range: 682-1089); for lower-middle-income countries (LMIC), the median was $US932 (mean: 1246, range: 156-3904); and, for upper-middle-income countries (UMIC), the median was $US1454 (mean: 2783, range: 1230-5667). ARV drugs were the largest component of overall ART costs in all settings (64%, 50% and 47% in LIC, LMIC and UMIC, respectively). Of 26 ART studies, 14 reported the drug regimes used, and only one study explicitly reported second-line treatment costs. The second cost driver was laboratory cost in LIC and LMIC (14% and 20%), and personnel costs in UMIC (26%). Two ART studies specified the types of laboratory tests costed, and three studies specifically included above facility-level personnel costs. Three studies reported detailed PMTCT costs, and three studies reported on paediatric ART. There is a paucity of data on the full unit costs for delivery of ART and PMTCT, particularly for LIC and middle-income countries. Heterogeneity in activities costed, and insufficient detail regarding components included in the costing, hampers standardization of unit cost measures. Evaluation of programme-level unit costs would benefit from international guidance on standardized costing methods, and expenditure categories and definitions. Future work should help elucidate the sources of the large variations in delivery unit costs across settings with similar income and epidemiological characteristics.