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Medium-Term Impacts of Integrated Social Safety Nets : Cash Transfers, Information Meetings, and Home Visits for Child Development

Author

Listed:
  • Akresh, Richard
  • de Walque, Damien B. C. M.
  • Kazianga, Harounan
  • Stocker, Abigail

Abstract

Cash transfers are a cornerstone of social protection. This paper evaluates an integrated program in Burkina Faso that combines cash transfers with parenting interventions delivered through group meetings or home visits. In a randomized experiment across 225 villages, households received cash alone; cash plus information on child health and development; or cash, information, and home visits reinforcing the information. Fifteen months after treatment ended, households receiving all three components had fewer pregnancies, more medically assisted births, improved health behaviors, and better educational outcomes. Adding home visits is essential for enhancing child development. Cash alone or with information produces no lasting effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Akresh, Richard & de Walque, Damien B. C. M. & Kazianga, Harounan & Stocker, Abigail, 2025. "Medium-Term Impacts of Integrated Social Safety Nets : Cash Transfers, Information Meetings, and Home Visits for Child Development," Policy Research Working Paper Series 11270, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:11270
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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