Cost and Effective Analysis of the LINKAGES ... - Linkages Project

4. MethodologyThe methodology used in this study has been developed for the LINKAGES Project by AbtAssociates Inc. It uses retrospective financial data to analyze cost effectiveness. The methodology isdescribed in detail in the “Methodology for Analyzing Cost and Effectiveness of LINKAGES’Interventions” prepared by Abt Associates 3 .The period examined in this study is December 2001 through December 2002. By this time the startupphase of the project was completed and implementation activities were underway. The selectionof this particular period allowed for a relatively clear-cut analysis of the replication costs associatedwith effective LAM counseling.The measure of effectiveness is provided by the MOH’s Jordan Contraceptive Logistics System. Datacover the period December 2001 through December 2002, with the first and last months’ data servingas baseline and endline data for the study period. A comparison of baseline and endline data providesdocumentation of activity outcomes during the study period.This cost effectiveness study uses LAM User Rate indicator to measure the increase in acceptance ofLAM as a method of family planning during the study period.While increasing the exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate of infants 0–5 months of age was also one ofLINKAGES’ goals, baseline and outcome data are not available for the study timeframe, and so costeffectiveness with respect to an EBF indicator can not be evaluated at this stage.4.1. Types of Costs Included in the AnalysisThis study focuses on LAM promotion activities only. Costs related to breastfeeding activities arenot included, because their cost effectiveness can not be evaluated at this time. While EBF data areavailable in the DHS for 1997 and 2002, these are national data and do not reflect specific EBF ratesfor women who attend MCH clinics.LINKAGES’ efforts to promote LAM counseling and adoption incur costs at both theLINKAGES/Jordan office and at the program headquarters in Washington, DC. This study considersall these costs.All field costs incurred during the study period to support and implement LINKAGES/Jordan LAMpromotion activities are included in this analysis. This includes direct activity implementation costsand the allocation of all overhead/fixed costs (office administration, office equipment, etc.) associatedwith the LINKAGES/Jordan office in Amman.Direct costs of the LINKAGES/DC office associated with LAM promotion activities in Jordan arealso included. Indirect costs of LINKAGES/DC (including DC office rent, accounting, financialmanagement and billing, contracts management, etc.) are not included. This is in part because theoverhead costs related to LINKAGES/DC would not be incurred in replication in-country. Further,3 This document is available upon request.LINKAGES Project/AED 4. Methodology 7