Comparative review of the economic impact of selected infectious diseases in Africa

For example, a successful dracunculiasis (guinea worm disease) eradication program in a Nigerian village resulted in documented increases in trading opportunities, new construction, and school attendance. This report reviews studies which have examined the economic impact of five diseases -- malaria, HIV/AIDS, onchocerciasis, dracunculiasis, and schistosomiasis -- mainly, but not only, in African countries; it aims to both report on the economic impact of these diseases, and to compare methodologies for determining economic impacts of diseases. Analytical levels vary, from the national, regional, sub-regional, and household level. While all five diseases represent staggering burdens in economic (as well as other) terms, AIDS in particular represents a tremendous threat because of the high costs of treatment and loss of productive persons. An appendix gives short descriptions of all the studies reviewed: 15 malaria studies; 25 HIV/AIDS studies; 6 onchocerciasis studies; 7 dracunculiasis studies; 10 schistosomiasis studies; and 17 studies that addressed analysis of the economic impacts of disease in general.