Original Research
Cost and consequence analysis of the Healthy Choices at Work programme to prevent non-communicable diseases in a commercial power plant, South Africa
Submitted: 04 August 2019 | Published: 22 June 2020
About the author(s)
Darcelle D. Schouw, Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South AfricaRobert Mash, Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
Abstract
Background: The workplace is an ideal setting for the implementation of a health promotion programmes to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCD). There are limited resources assigned to workplace health promotion programmes in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC).
Aim: This study aimed to conduct a cost and consequence analysis of the Healthy Choices at Work programme.
Setting: This study was conducted at a commercial power plant in South Africa.
Methods: Incremental costs were obtained for the activities of the Healthy Choices at Work programme over a two-year period. A total of 156 employees were evaluated in the intervention, although the effect was experienced by all employees. An annual health risk factor assessment at baseline and follow up evaluated the consequences of the programme.
Results: The total incremental costs over the two-year period accumulated to $4015 for 1743 employees. The cost per employee on an annual basis was $1.15 and was associated with a −10.2mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure, −3.87mmHg in diastolic blood pressure, −0.45mmol/l in total cholesterol and significant improvement in harmful alcohol use, fruit and vegetable intake and physical inactivity (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between sickness absenteeism and risk factors for NCDs.
Conclusion: The cost to implement the multicomponent HCW programme was low with significant beneficial consequences in transforming the workplace environment and reducing risks factors for NCDs. Findings of this study will be useful for small, medium and large organisations, the national department of health, and similar settings in LMICs.
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Crossref Citations
1. Economic evaluations of non-communicable diseases conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa: a critical review of data sources
Samantha A Hollingworth, Glory-Anne Leaupepe, Justice Nonvignon, Ama Pokuaa Fenny, Emmanuel A. Odame, Francis Ruiz
Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation vol: 21 issue: 1 year: 2023
doi: 10.1186/s12962-023-00471-7