%0 Controlled Clinical Trial
%T A cost-effectiveness analysis of a universal, preventative-focused, parent and infant programme.
%A Crealey GE
%A Hickey G
%A McGilloway S
%J BMC Health Serv Res
%V 24
%N 1
%D 2024 Feb 8
%M 38331766
%F 2.908
%R 10.1186/s12913-023-10492-w
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>This study assessed whether a relatively newly developed Parent and Infant (PIN) parenting support programme was cost-effective when compared to services as usual (SAU).<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The cost-effectiveness of the PIN programme versus SAU was assessed from an Irish health and social care perspective over a 24-month timeframe and within the context of a non-randomised, controlled before-and-after trial. In total, 163 parent-infant dyads were included in the study (86 intervention, 77 control). The primary outcome measure for the economic evaluation was the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC).<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The average cost of the PIN programme was €647 per dyad. The mean (SE) cost (including programme costs) was €7,027 (SE €1,345) compared to €4,811 (SE €593) in the control arm, generating a (non-significant) mean cost difference of €2,216 (bootstrap 95% CI -€665 to €5,096; p = 0.14). The mean incremental cost-effectiveness of the PIN service was €614 per PSOC unit gained (bootstrap 95% CI €54 to €1,481). The probability that the PIN programme was cost-effective, was 87% at a willingness-to-pay of €1,000 per one unit change in the PSOC.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Our findings suggest that the PIN programme was cost-effective at a relatively low willingness-to-pay threshold when compared to SAU. This study addresses a significant knowledge gap in the field of early intervention by providing important real world evidence on the implementation costs and cost-effectiveness of a universal early years parenting programme. The challenges involved in assessing the cost-effectiveness of preventative interventions for very young children and their parents are also discussed.<BR><B>BACKGROUND: </B>ISRCTN17488830 (Date of registration: 27/11/15). This trial was retrospectively registered.