Economic evaluation of health interventions in low income settings

Projects:

• Prevention of malaria in children treated agains anaemia: http://www.forskningsradet.no/prognett-globvac/Nyheter/Does_prolonged_malaria_treatment_save_lives/1254023134888/p1224697869306

1. INTH 306, Health Economics, Centre for International Health. Facilitator and main lecturer for the years 2002-2005.
2. INTH 316, The Health Systems, Centre for International Health. Facilitator and main lecturer for the module ”Introduction to Economic Evaluation” for the years 2006-2010.
3. The global HIV epidemic and research challenges to improve prevention, support and care. Lecturing and supervision at this TropEd course at the Centre for International Health for the years 2003-2010.
4. ECON 221, Health Economics, Department of Economics, UiB. Guest lecturing 2006-2009.
5. Miscellaneous guest lecturing at the University of Tromsø, the Univsersity College of Oslo and Norwegian Teacher Academy 2006 – 2010.
6. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences: Teaching at Financing and Health Economics module in Master of Arts in Health Policy and Management, 2008.

Academic article

• Carol Nakaye Kamya; Richard Idro; Dennis Kalibbala et al. (2025). The economic burden and catastrophic health expenditures among children with sickle cell anaemia on households in malaria-endemic areas: insights from Uganda and Malawi. (external link)
• Sarah Svege; Joseph Rujumba; Bjarne Robberstad et al. (2025). “Can you bury him before he dies?” Sickle cell disease and social sites of suffering in Malawi and Uganda. (external link)
• Sarah Svege; Siri Lange; Bjarne Robberstad et al. (2025). “I want to help my body”: Acceptability of malaria chemoprevention among children with sickle cell anaemia and their caregivers in Malawi and Uganda. (external link)
• Alemayehu Hailu; Bernt Lindtjorn; Wakgari Deressa et al. (2018). Cost-effectiveness of a combined intervention of long lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying compared with each intervention alone for malaria prevention in Ethiopia. (external link)
• Amisa Tindamanyile Chamani; Amani Thomas Mori; Bjarne Robberstad (2021). Implementing standard antenatal care interventions: health system cost at primary health facilities in Tanzania. (external link)
• Admassu Nadew Lamu; Bjarne Robberstad; Harald Johan Hamre et al. (2021). Validity and responsiveness of GHC-index in patients with amalgam-attributed health complaints. (external link)
• Melf-Jakob Kühl; Thandile Nkosi-Gondwe; Feiko O. Ter Kuile et al. (2023). Predicting adherence to postdischarge malaria chemoprevention in Malawian preschool children: A prognostic multivariable analysis. (external link)
• Carl Tollef Solberg; Mathias Barra; Bjarne Robberstad (2020). Bør vi diskontere fremtidige helsegevinster? Pro et contra. (external link)
• Richard Idro,; Thandile Nkosi-Gondwe; Robert Opoka et al. (2024). Weekly dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine versus monthly sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine for malaria chemoprevention in children with sickle cell anaemia in Uganda and Malawi (CHEMCHA): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. (external link)
• Jacob Mazalale; Christabel Kambala; Stephan Brenner et al. (2015). Factors associated with delivery outside a health facility: Cross-sectional study in rural Malawi. (external link)
• Thandile Gondwe; Bjarne Robberstad; Mavuto Mukaka et al. (2018). Delivery strategies for malaria chemoprevention with monthly dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for the post-discharge management of severe anaemia in children aged less than 5 years old in Malawi: a protocol for a cluster randomized trial. (external link)
• Myness K. Ndambo; Kristine Bærøe; Kamija S. Phiri et al. (2025). Conceptualizing the implementation of post-discharge malaria chemoprevention in Malawi using a co-design approach. (external link)
• Sarah Svege; Blessings Kaunda; Bjarne Robberstad et al. (2018). Post-discharge malaria chemoprevention (PMC) in Malawi: caregivers` acceptance and preferences with regard to delivery methods methods. (external link)
• Lungiswa Leonora Nkonki; Emmanuelle Daviaud; Debra Jackson et al. (2014). Costs of promoting exclusive breastfeeding at community level in three sites in South Africa. (external link)
• Thandile Gondwe; Bjarne Robberstad; Bjørn Blomberg et al. (2018). Introducing post-discharge malaria chemoprevention (PMC) for management of severe anemia in Malawian children: a qualitative study of community health workers’ perceptions and motivation. (external link)
• Admassu Nadew Lamu; Abdulrahman Jbaily; Stéphane Verguet et al. (2020). Is cycle network expansion cost-effective? A health economic evaluation of cycling in Oslo. (external link)
• Titus Kimutai Kwambai; Aggrey Dhabangi; Richard Idro et al. (2020). Malaria Chemoprevention in the Postdischarge Management of Severe Anemia. (external link)
• Bjarne Robberstad; Jan Abel Olsen (2010). The health related quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa - a literature review and focus group study. (external link)
• Bjarne Robberstad; Carl Richard Frostad; Per Espen Akselsen et al. (2011). Economic evaluation of second generation pneumococcal vaccines in Norway. (external link)
• Georg Ruhago; Frida Namnyak Ngalesoni; Bjarne Robberstad et al. (2015). Cost-effectiveness of live oral attenuated human rotavirus vaccine in Tanzania. (external link)
• Bjarne Robberstad; Ole Frithjof Norheim (2011). Incorporating concerns for equal lifetime health in evaluations of public health programs. (external link)
• Titus Kimutai Kwambai; Aggrey Dhabangi; Richard Idro et al. (2018). Malaria chemoprevention with monthly dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for the post-discharge management of severe anaemia in children aged less than 5 years in Uganda and Kenya: Study protocol for a multi-centre, two-arm, randomised, placebo-controlled, superiority trial. (external link)
• David Teigen; Robert O. Opoka; Phillip Kasirye et al. (2023). Cost-Effectiveness of Hydroxyurea for Sickle Cell Anemia in a Low-Income African Setting: A Model-Based Evaluation of Two Dosing Regimens. (external link)
• Lydia Kapiriri; Bjarne Robberstad; Ole Frithjof Norheim (2003). The relationship between prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and stakeholder decision making in Uganda: Implications for health policy. (external link)
• Shoaib Hassan; Tehmina Mustafa; William Muller et al. (2024). Comparing the cost-effectiveness of the MPT64-antigen detection test to Xpert MTB/RIF and ZN-microscopy for the diagnosis of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis: An economic evaluation modelling study. (external link)
• Wakgari Deressa; Eskindir Loha; Meshesha Balkew et al. (2016). Combining long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying for malaria prevention in Ethiopia: Study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. (external link)
• Leif Edvard Aarø; Lamprini Veneti; Øystein Vedaa et al. (2022). Visiting crowded places during the COVID-19 pandemic. A panel study among adult Norwegians. (external link)
• Kjell Arne Johansson; Bjarne Robberstad; Ole Frithjof Norheim (2010). Further benefits by early start of HIV treatment in low income countries: survival estimates of early versus deferred antiretroviral therapy. (external link)
• Hamidah Hussain; Amyn Malik; Junaid F. Ahmed et al. (2021). Cost-effectiveness of household contact investigation for detection of tuberculosis in Pakistan. (external link)
• Lucy C. Okell; Titus K. Kwambai; Aggrey Dhabangi et al. (2023). Projected health impact of post-discharge malaria chemoprevention among children with severe malarial anaemia in Africa. (external link)
• Sarah Svege; Joseph Rujumba; Bjarne Robberstad et al. (2024). “Whatever is bad goes back to the woman”: The gendered blame game of sickle cell disease in Malawi and Uganda. (external link)
• Jobiba Joe Henderson Chinkhumba; Manuela De Allegri; Adamson S. Muula et al. (2014). Maternal and perinatal mortality by place of delivery in sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-analysis of population-based cohort studies. (external link)
• Bjarne Robberstad; Yusuf Hemed; Ole Frithjof Norheim (2007). Cost-effectiveness of medical interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease in a sub-Saharan African country - the case of Tanzania. (external link)
• Peter John Binyaruka; Bjarne Robberstad; Gaute Torsvik et al. (2018). Does payment for performance increase performance inequalities across health providers? A case study of Tanzania. (external link)
• Victoria Nankabirwa; James K Tumwine; Olive Namugga et al. (2017). Early versus late BCG vaccination in HIV-1-exposed infants in Uganda: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. (external link)
• Asfaw Demissie Bikilla; Degu Jerene; Bjarne Robberstad et al. (2009). Cost-effectiveness of anti-retroviral therapy at a district hospital in southern Ethiopia. (external link)
• Asfaw Demissie Bikilla; Degu Jerene; Bjarne Robberstad et al. (2009). Cost estimates of HIV care and treatment with and without anti-retrovira thereapy at Arba Minch Hospital in southern Ethiopia. (external link)
• Jobiba Joe Henderson Chinkhumba; Manuela De Allegri; Jacob Mazalale et al. (2017). Household costs and time to seek care for pregnancy related complications: The role of results-based financing. (external link)
• Alemayehu Hailu; Bernt Lindtjorn; Wakgari Deressa et al. (2017). Economic burden of malaria and predictors of cost variability to rural households in southcentral Ethiopia. (external link)
• Peter Hangoma; Arild Aakvik; Bjarne Robberstad (2017). Health Shocks and Household Welfare in Zambia: An Assessment of Changing Risk. (external link)
• Bjarne Robberstad; Bjørg Evjen-Olsen (2010). Preventing Mother to Child Transmission of HIV With Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment in Tanzania-a Prospective Cost-Effectiveness Study. (external link)
• Amani Thomas Mori; Mweetwa Mudenda; Bjarne Robberstad et al. (2024). Impact of cash transfer programs on healthcare utilization and catastrophic health expenditures in rural Zambia: a cluster randomized controlled trial. (external link)
• Amani Thomas Mori; Linda Milimo Kampata; Patrick Musonda et al. (2017). Cost-benefit and extended cost-effectiveness analysis of a comprehensive adolescent pregnancy prevention program in Zambia: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. (external link)
• Bjarne Robberstad; John Alexander Cairns (2007). Time preferences for health in northern Tanzania - An empirical analysis of alternative discounting models. (external link)
• Hamidad Farid Hussain; Amani Thomas Mori; Aamir Javed Khan et al. (2019). The cost-effectiveness of incentive-based active case finding for tuberculosis (TB) control in the private sector Karachi, Pakistan. (external link)
• Eskindir Loha; Wakgari Deressa; Taye Gari Ayana et al. (2019). Long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying may not be sufficient to eliminate malaria in a low malaria incidence area: Results from a cluster randomized controlled trial in Ethiopia. (external link)
• Taye Gari Ayana; Oljira Kenea; Eskindir Loha et al. (2016). Malaria incidence and entomological findings in an area targeted for a cluster-randomized controlled trial to prevent malaria in Ethiopia: Results from a pilot study. (external link)
• Ulrikke Højslev Lund; Anna Karina Stoinska-Schneider; Karianne Larsen et al. (2022). Cost-Effectiveness of Mobile Stroke Unit Care in Norway. (external link)
• Janet Jull; Ian D. Graham; Elizabeth Kristjansson et al. (2019). Taking an integrated knowledge translation approach in research to develop the CONSORT-Equity 2017 reporting guideline: an observational study. (external link)
• Lumbwe Chola; Lars T. Fadnes; Ingunn Marie S. Engebretsen et al. (2013). Infant feeding survival and Markov transition probabilities among children under age 6 months in Uganda. (external link)
• Amisa Tindamanyile Chamani; Bjarne Robberstad; Amani Thomas Mori (2024). Budget Impact Analysis of Implementing Antenatal Care Recommendations for Positive Pregnancy Outcomes at Public Primary Facilities in Tanzania. (external link)
• Frida Namnyak Ngalesoni; Georg Mugambage Ruhago; Amani Thomas Mori et al. (2016). Equity impact analysis of medical approaches to cardiovascular diseases prevention in Tanzania. (external link)
• Lungiswa Leonora Nkonki; Mickey Chopra; Tanya M Doherty et al. (2011). Explaining household socio-economic related child health inequalities using multiple methods in three diverse settings in South Africa. (external link)
• Carl Tollef Solberg; Mathias Barra; Bjarne Robberstad (2020). Should we discount future health benefits? Pro et contra (English translation). (external link)
• Titus K Kwambai; Amani Thomas Mori; Sarah Nevitt et al. (2022). Post-discharge morbidity and mortality in children admitted with severe anaemia and other health conditions in malaria-endemic settings in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (external link)
• Sarah Svege; Siri Lange; Bjarne Robberstad (2019). Malariaprofylakse til barn med alvorlig anemi redder liv – men hva er den beste leveringsmetoden på landsbygda i Malawi?. (external link)
• Alemayehu Hailu; Bernt Lindtjorn; Wakgari Deressa et al. (2016). Equity in long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying for malaria prevention in a rural South Central Ethiopia. (external link)
• Thandile Nkosi-Gondwe; Bjarne Robberstad; Robert Opoka et al. (2023). Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine or sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine for the chemoprevention of malaria in children with sickle cell anaemia in eastern and southern Africa (CHEMCHA): a protocol for a multi-centre, two-arm, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled superiority trial. (external link)
• Kamija S. Phiri; Carole Khairallah; Titus Kimutai Kwambai et al. (2023). Post-discharge malaria chemoprevention in children admitted with severe anaemia in malaria-endemic settings in Africa: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. (external link)
• Amani Thomas Mori; Frida Namnyak Ngalesoni; Ole Frithjof Norheim et al. (2014). Cost-effectiveness of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine compared with artemether-lumefantrine for treating uncomplicated malaria in children at a district hospital in Tanzania. (external link)
• Amani Thomas Mori; Ole Frithjof Norheim; Bjarne Robberstad (2016). Budget impact analysis of using dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine to treat uncomplicated malaria in children in Tanzania. (external link)
• Thandile Gondwe; Bjarne Robberstad; Mavuto Mukaka et al. (2021). Adherence to community versus facility-based delivery of monthly malaria chemoprevention with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for the post-discharge management of severe anemia in Malawian children: A cluster randomized trial. (external link)
• Peter Hangoma; Arild Aakvik; Bjarne Robberstad (2017). Explaining changes in child health inequality in the run up to the 2015 millennium development goals (MDGs): The case of Zambia. (external link)
• Frida Ngalesoni; Georg Ruhago; Ole Frithjof Norheim et al. (2015). Economic cost of primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in Tanzania. (external link)
• Jobiba Joe Henderson Chinkhumba; Manuela De Allergi; Stephan Brenner et al. (2020). The cost-effectiveness of using results-based financing to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in Malawi. (external link)
• Bjarne Robberstad (2005). Estimation of private and social time preferences for health in northern Tanzania. (external link)
• Eirik Joakim Tranvåg; Øystein Ariansen Haaland; Bjarne Robberstad et al. (2022). Appraising Drugs Based on Cost-effectiveness and Severity of Disease in Norwegian Drug Coverage Decisions. (external link)
• Lumbwe Chola; Bjarne Robberstad (2009). Estimating average inpatient and outpatient costs and childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea treatment costs in an urban health centre in Zambia. (external link)
• Janet E.G. Jull; Margaret Whitehead; Mark Petticrew et al. (2017). When is a randomised controlled trial health equity relevant? Development and validation of a conceptual framework. (external link)
• Audun Brendbekken; Bjarne Robberstad; Ole Frithjof Norheim (2022). Public participation: healthcare rationing in the newspaper media. (external link)
• Eliud Richard Wandwalo; Bjarne Robberstad; Odd Mørkve (2005). Cost and cost-effectiveness of community based and health facility based directly observed treatment of tuberculosis in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. (external link)
• Admassu Nadew Lamu; Lars Björkman; Harald Johan Hamre et al. (2021). Validity and responsiveness of EQ-5D-5L and SF-6D in patients with health complaints attributed to their amalgam fillings: a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing amalgam removal. (external link)
• Frida Namnyak Ngalesoni; Georg Mugambage Ruhago; Mary T. Mayige et al. (2017). Cost-effectiveness analysis of population-based tobacco control strategies in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in Tanzania. (external link)
• Amani Thomas Mori; Paul Gavaza; Bjarne Robberstad (2013). Role of pharmacoeconomics in developing countries. (external link)
• Bjarne Robberstad; Tor A Strand; Robert E Black et al. (2004). Cost-effectiveness of zinc as adjunct therapy for acute childhood diarrhoea in developing countries. (external link)
• Amani Thomas Mori; Eliangiringa Amos Kaale; Frida Ngalesoni et al. (2014). The role of evidence in the decision-making process of selecting essential medicines in developing countries: the case of Tanzania. (external link)
• Wakgari Deressa; Eskindir Loha; Meshesha Balkew et al. (2014). Combining long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying for malaria prevention in Ethiopia: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. (external link)
• Frida Namnyak Ngalesoni; Georg Mugambage Ruhago; Amani Thomas Mori et al. (2016). Cost-effectiveness of medical primary prevention strategies to reduce absolute risk of cardiovascular disease in Tanzania: A Markov modelling study. (external link)
• Martin N Mwangi; Glory Mzembe; Ernest Moya et al. (2021). Protocol for a multicentre, parallel-group, open-label randomised controlled trial comparing ferric carboxymaltose with the standard of care in anaemic Malawian pregnant women: the REVAMP trial. (external link)
• Bjarne Robberstad (2005). QALYs vs DALYs vs LYs gained. (external link)
• Melf-Jakob Kühl; Thandile Gondwe; Aggrey Dhabangi et al. (2022). Economic evaluation of postdischarge malaria chemoprevention in preschool children treated for severe anaemia in Malawi, Kenya, and Uganda: A cost-effectiveness analysis. (external link)
• Peter Hangoma; Bjarne Robberstad; Arild Aakvik (2017). Does Free Public Health Care Increase Utilization and Reduce Spending? Heterogeneity and Long-Term Effects. (external link)
• Bjarne Robberstad (2005). QALYs vs DALYs vs LYs gained: What are the differences, and what difference do they make for health care priority setting. (external link)
• Lumbwe Chola; Lungiswa Leonora Nkonki; Chipepo Kankasa et al. (2011). Cost of individual peer counselling for the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in Uganda. (external link)
• Lumbwe Chola; Lars T. Fadnes; Ingunn Marie S. Engebretsen et al. (2015). Cost-effectiveness of peer counselling for the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in Uganda. (external link)
• Admassu Nadew Lamu; Lars Björkman; Harald Johan Hamre et al. (2022). Is amalgam removal in patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms cost-effective? A prospective cohort and decision modelling study in Norway. (external link)
• Lamprini Veneti; Bjarne Robberstad; Anneke Steens et al. (2024). Social contact patterns during the early COVID-19 pandemic in Norway: insights from a panel study, April to September 2020. (external link)
• Carol Nakaye Kamya; Richard Idro; Perez Nicholas Ochanda et al. (2025). Health-Related Quality of Life in Children With Sickle Cell Anemia in Malaria-Endemic Regions: The Impact of Disease States and Malaria Prevention Strategies. (external link)
• Anneke Steens; Birgitte Freiesleben De Blasio; Lamprini Veneti et al. (2020). Poor self-reported adherence to COVID-19-related quarantine/isolation requests, Norway, April to July 2020. (external link)
• Jennifer Petkovic et al.; Janet Jull; Manosila Yoganathan et al. (2020). Reporting of health equity considerations in cluster and individually randomized trials. (external link)
• Peter John Binyaruka; Bjarne Robberstad; Gaute Torsvik et al. (2018). Who benefits from increased service utilisation? Examining the distributional effects of payment for performance in Tanzania. (external link)

Non-fiction book chapter

• Jan Van den Broeck; Lars Thore Fadnes; Bjarne Robberstad et al. (2013). Statistical Modeling. (external link)
• Jan Van den Broeck; Jonathan R. Brestoff; Catherine Kaulfuss et al. (2013). Statistical Modeling. (external link)
• Jan Van den Broeck; Jonathan R. Brestoff; A. Friedman et al. (2013). The Measurement Plan. (external link)

Doctoral thesis (PhD)

• Peter Hangoma; Bjarne Robberstad; Arild Aakvik (2017). Social Protection, Health Risk, and Household Welfare in Zambia. (external link)
• Bjarne Robberstad; Ole Frithjof Norheim; Gunnar Kvåle et al. (2005). Economic evaluation of health interventions in sub-Saharan Africa : applied economic evaluations and studies on time preferences for health in Tanzania. (external link)
• Jobiba Joe Henderson Chinkhumba; Bjarne Robberstad (2018). Economic analysis of Results based financing in Malawi. Strengthening the evidence base for alternative maternal and perinatal Healthcare funding. (external link)
• Alemayehu Hailu; Bjarne Robberstad (2018). Economic evaluation of malaria prevention in Ethiopia. Economic burden, equity, and cost-effectiveness analysis of malaria prevention in south-central Ethiopia. (external link)
• Amani Thomas Mori; Bjarne Robberstad (2015). Pharmacoeconomics and Formulary Decision-Making in Tanzania. Generating Evidence for Antimalarial Drugs. (external link)
• Peter John Binyaruka; Gaute Torsvik; Bjarne Robberstad (2018). Distributional effects of payment for performance in the health sector. Examining effects on structural quality, performance outcomes and service utilisation in Tanzania. (external link)
• George Mugambage Ruhago; Ole Frithjof Norheim; Bjarne Robberstad (2015). Economic evaluation and equity impact analysis of interventions for maternal and child health in Tanzania. Evidence for fair and efficient priority setting. (external link)

Academic literature review

• Kishan Kumar Chudasama; Kjetil Gundro Brurberg; Bjarne Robberstad et al. (2019). Prosigna Gene Signature to Assess Expected Benefit from Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer. Assessment of manufacturer’s submission. (external link)
• Amani Thomas Mori; Bjarne Robberstad (2012). Pharmacoeconomics and its implication on priority-setting for essential medicines in Tanzania: a systematic review. (external link)
• Amani Thomas Mori; Peter Binyaruka; Peter Hangoma et al. (2020). Patient and health system costs of managing pregnancy and birth-related complications in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. (external link)

Academic book chapter

• Bjarne Robberstad; Yusuf Hemed (2010). Economic Evaluation of Health Interventions: Tanzania Perspectives. (external link)

See a complete overview of publications in NVA.

Enhanced contact investigation for tuberculosis is cost-effective in Pakistan

Adding enhanced contact investigation to the existing passive mode detected 3.8 times more cases of TB per index patient compared with passive contact investigation alone in Pakistan, and cost of US$238 per incremental patient with TB identified. This is the main conclusion of Hamidah Hussain and HELTER's new paper in BMJ Open.

 

Measuring health problems in patients with Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms associated with amalgam fillings is challenging

Admassu Lamu and colleagues find that the GHC-index is a valid and responsive instrument for assessing symptom load in MUPS patients attributing their health complaints to amalgam fillings and undergoing amalgam removal.  Published recently in Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, with support from HELTER.

 

1. Malaria Chemoprevention for the post-discharge management of severe anaemia in children in Malawi, Uganda and Kenya (IPTpd): Moving towards policy. Budget 32.8 mill NOK, Research council of Norway, 2014-2019