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Evaluation of a Cash Transfer Program in Low-Income Families in Guinea-Bissau

Not Applicable
Conditions
Diabetes
Per Capita Food Consumption Expenditure
Anemia
Childhood Growth
Childhood Cognition
School Registration and Attendence
Interventions
Behavioral: Cash Transfer
Registration Number
NCT03455257
Lead Sponsor
Ministry of Finance, Guinea-Bissau
Brief Summary

This pilot study will test the effect of a cash transfer program aiming to improve family food consumption patterns, family health and schooling, with resulting benefits for childhood growth and cognition.

Detailed Description

Cash transfer (CT) programs in low-income countries that allow recipients to receive cash designated for specific household expenditures such as food and family health and education typically show significant program benefits. In particular, several programs have shown positive impacts on use of health care resources, nutrition status and self-reported health, along with significant improvements in the motor and cognitive development of young children.

Guinea-Bissau is currently the 11th poorest country and is thus an appropriate target for a cash transfer program. This project will pilot test the effect of a 2 year cash transfer program aiming to improve family food consumption patterns, family health and schooling, with resulting benefits for childhood growth and cognition. Family-wide assessment will be conducted to examine the impact in all family members. Baseline and 3 follow up assessments will be completed.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
34148
Inclusion Criteria
  • Families (defined as groups of individuals who routinely eat together) in 3 regions of Guinea-Bissau.
  • Identified by developing scale based upon household characteristics and assets per capita. As well as access to services such as water, electricity and sanitation.
  • Families having the lowest score identified as lowest income were recruited.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Families with high scores on asset scale.
  • Families uninterested in participating.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
InterventionCash TransferFamilies assigned to this arm will recieve a cash transfer following an in-depth conversation with the head of household and the signing of a contract stating they understand the purpose of the study.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in per capita food expedituresBaseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3

change in per capita food expenditure per family will be calculated.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in waist circumferenceBaseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3

Change in waist circumference for all participants in the study and children born after cash transfer program starts.

Cognition functionWhen children are 18th months

Children born after the cash transfer progam will have a single cognitive function test at 18 months of age.

Change in school attendenceEach semester of school in year 1, 2 and 3 of study

School enrollment, attendance, drop out and grade graduation will be assessed for all children through data extraction from school records.

Change in Grip StrengthBaseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3

Change in grip strength will be measured in 100 randomly selected families in each region with a family size 2-4 and 5-8.

Change in weightBaseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3

Change in weight for all participants in the study and children born after cash transfer program starts.

Change in hemoglobinBaseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3

Change in hemoglobin for pregnant women, children born after the program begins, older children born in 2003, 2010, 2014.

Change in mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)Baseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3

Change in MUAC for all participants in the study and children born after cash transfer program starts.

Change in heightBaseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3

Change in height for all participants in the study and children born after cash transfer program starts.

Changes in family demographicsBaseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3

Changes in family demographics will be tracked.

Change in blood pressureBaseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3

Change in blood pressure will be measured in 100 randomly selected families in each region with a family size 2-4 and 5-8.

Change in HbA1cBaseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3

Change in HbA1c will be measured in 100 randomly selected families in each region with a family size 2-4 and 5-8.

Food intakeYear 1, year 2 and year 3

Food intake assessment

Change in head circumferenceAfter birth, year 1, year 2, year 3

Children born after the cash transfer progam will have head circumference taken.

Change in LiteracyYear 1, year 2, year 3

Children 7 and 14 will complete literacy testing.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

PDDC

🇬🇼

Bissau, Guinea-Bissau

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