Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Parents under Pressure Programme for Methadone-Maintained Parents

Abstract

Children living in families with parental substance abuse are at high risk of child maltreatment and associated adverse outcomes. A trial of methadone-maintained parents randomised to the Parents under Pressure (PuP) parenting programme reported significant improvements in family functioning relative to standard care or a brief intervention, as indicated by a reduction in scores on the Child Abuse Potential Inventory. We sought to determine the cost-effectiveness of the PuP programme to inform policy and programme implementation. The cost per expected case of child maltreatment prevented was calculated and compared with the estimated lifetime costs of maltreatment and sensitivity analyses we..