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Information and Communication Technologies, Prenatal Care Services and Neonatal Health

Author

Listed:
  • Diether W. Beuermann

    (Inter-American Development Bank)

  • Rafael Anta

    (Inter-American Development Bank)

  • Patricia Garcia

    (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia)

  • Alessandro Maffioli

    (Inter-American Development Bank)

  • Jose Perez Lu

    (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia)

  • Maria Fernanda Rodrigo

    (Inter-American Development Bank)

Abstract

We evaluate the effectiveness of sending text messages to pregnant women containing appointment reminders and suggestions for healthy behaviors during pregnancy. Receiving messages had an overall positive effect of 5 percent on the number of prenatal care visits attended. Moreover, for women who live close to their assigned health center and who have higher educational attainment, the intervention positively affected vitamin intake compliance, APGAR scores, and birth weight. Evidence suggests that reminders are more effective among those who are more able to understand the future benefits of preventive care (more educated) and who face lower transaction costs of going to prenatal care checkups (located near health centers). No evidence of geographical spillover effects was found.

Suggested Citation

  • Diether W. Beuermann & Rafael Anta & Patricia Garcia & Alessandro Maffioli & Jose Perez Lu & Maria Fernanda Rodrigo, 2016. "Information and Communication Technologies, Prenatal Care Services and Neonatal Health," Working Papers 62, Peruvian Economic Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:apc:wpaper:2016-062
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Olukorede Abiona & Joseph B. Ajefu, 2023. "The impact of timing of in utero drought shocks on birth outcomes in rural households: evidence from Sierra Leone," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 36(3), pages 1333-1362, July.

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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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