Cost of Outreach for HIV Prevention Among Drug Users and Youth at Risk

SUMMARY Economic evaluation has become an increasingly important component in determining the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs. One type of intervention that governmental and nongovernmental organizations have supported to prevent the spread of HIV is outreach. We conducted a cost analysis at eight sites that provide outreach services to two populations at high risk for HIV infection: injection drug users and street youth. We assessed the potential benefit of HIV prevention through outreach services by comparing outreach costs with the medical costs of treating an HIV infected individual. The average cost of outreach services was $13.30 per contact. The cost per contact for services to street youth was 78% higher than for drug users. Comparing the cost per contact with HIV treatment costs, if only two in 10,000 contacts reduce their high-risk behavior so as to avoid transmission of HIV, outreach would yield a net benefit. These results provide evidence that outreach programs compare favorably to o...