Effects of unconditional and conditional cash transfers on child health and development in Zimbabwe: a cluster-randomised trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cash-transfer programmes can improve the wellbeing of vulnerable children, but few studies have rigorously assessed their effectiveness in sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the effects of unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) and conditional cash transfers (CCTs) on birth registration, vaccination uptake, and school attendance in children in Zimbabwe.

Methods

We did a matched, cluster-randomised controlled trial in ten sites in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. We divided each study site into three clusters. After a baseline survey between July, and September, 2009, clusters in each site were randomly assigned to UCT, CCT, or control, by drawing of lots from a hat. Eligible households contained children younger than 18 years and satisfied at least one other criteria: head of

SUBMITTER: Robertson L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3627205 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature