Evaluating the Economic Burden (Cost) of Lassa Fever and Cholera, and the Cost-Effectiveness of Surveillance Systems in Nigeria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This project conducts a systematic review and meta‑analysis to quantify the economic burden of Lassa fever and cholera in Nigeria and to evaluate the cost‑effectiveness of the country’s surveillance systems for these diseases. Using PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we will search peer‑reviewed literature (2010‑2025) from NCBI/PMC, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus with predefined PICO and MeSH terms. After screening, eligible studies will undergo quality appraisal with the Joanna Briggs Institute and CHEERS checklists. Random‑effects (REML) meta‑analysis will estimate per‑case costs, DALY losses, and incremental cost‑effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for surveillance interventions, while I² statistics will assess heterogeneity. Findings will inform policymakers about the financial impact of Lassa fever and cholera and provide evidence on the economic value of integrated disease‑surveillance systems, supporting Nigeria’s alignment with WHO global health security goals.