A Cost-effectiveness Analysis of a Mobile Phone–Based Integrated HIV-Prevention Intervention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China: Economic Evaluation

BACKGROUND: Mobile phone–based digital interventions have been shown to be a promising strategy for HIV prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a mobile phone–based digital intervention for HIV prevention among MSM in China from the perspective of a public health provider. METHODS: The cost-effectiveness of the mobile phone–based digital intervention was estimated for a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 HIV-negative MSM who were followed for 1 year. A model was developed with China-specific data to project the clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of two mobile phone–based digital strategies for HIV prevention among MSM. The intervention group received an integrated behavioral intervention that included 1) individualized HIV infection risk assessment, 2) recommendation of centers testing for HIV and other STIs, 3) free online order of condoms and HIV and syphilis self-test kits and 4) educational materials about HIV/AIDS. The control group was only given educational materials about HIV/AIDS. Outcomes of interest were the number of HIV infections among MSM averted by the intervention, intervention costs, cost per HIV infection averted by the mobile phone–based digital intervention, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Univariate and multivariate sensitivity analyses were also conducted to examine the robustness of the results. RESULTS: It is estimated that the intervention can prevent 48 MSM from becoming infected with HIV and can save 480 QALYs. The cost of preventing 1 case of HIV infection was US $2599.87, and the cost-utility ratio was less than 0. Sensitivity analysis showed that the cost-effectiveness of the mobile phone–based digital intervention was mainly impacted by the average number of sexual behaviors with each sexual partner. Additionally, the higher the HIV prevalence among MSM, the greater the benefit of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Mobile phone–based digital interventions are a cost-effective HIV-prevention strategy for MSM and could be considered for promotion and application among high-risk MSM subgroups.