Optima Malaria Modelling

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It includes long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs); indoor residual spraying (IRS); artemisinin combination therapy; intermiDent presumptive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp); seasonal mass chemoprevention (SMC) in children; larval source management (LSM); mass drug administration (MDA); and behaviour change communication (BCC).

The model contains an underlying epidemic model of P. falciparum/P. vivax transmission, and can estimate the impact on incidence and mortality of scaling-up combinations of malaria control programmes and related interventions. For a given budget, the model uses a mathematical optimization algorithm to determine the funding allocation between programmes that minimizes disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to the disease, number of deaths, or other relevant outcomes.

The model also contains a geospatial component to account for heterogeneity in ecology, the burden of disease and past investment in different regions of the country. This allows funding allocations to be determined specifically in relation to the requirements of individual regions, as well as how national budgets or additional investments should be optimally distributed between regions. Optima Malaria is a quantitative tool that can provide practical advice to governments to assist with the allocation of current or projected budgets across malaria control, treatment and testing programmes.

2016 – ongoing

Optima tools have been developed and applied in close partnership and with funding from global health agencies including the: World Bank, Global Fund, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Optima also receives funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

Below is a diagram explaining the inputs and interactions built into the Optima Malaria model.