Cash-transfer programmes in developing countries

Abstract

In The Lancet, Laura Robertson and colleagues present research that adds to the impressive record of cash-transfer programmes. 1 Robertson L Mushati P Eaton JW et al. Effects of unconditional and conditional cash transfers on child health and development in Zimbabwe: a cluster-randomised trial. Lancet. 2013; 381: 1283-1292 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (140) Google Scholar In a cluster-randomised trial undertaken in difficult circumstances in Zimbabwe, Robertson and colleagues 1 Robertson L Mushati P Eaton JW et al. Effects of unconditional and conditional cash transfers on child health and development in Zimbabwe: a cluster-randomised trial. Lancet. 2013; 381: 1283-1292 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (140) Google Scholar show that a conditional cash transfer (CCT) programme improved the proportion of children aged 6–12 years who attend school regularly by 7·6% (95% CI 1·2–14·1) and that of children aged 0–4 years with birth certificates by 16·4% (7·8–25·0) compared with a control group. An unconditional cash transfer (UCT) programme also increased the proportion of children aged 6–12 years who attend school regularly by 7·2% (0·8–13·7), but it did not have a significant effect on birth registration (increase of 1·5%, 95% CI −7·1 to 10·1). Neither programme had a significant effect on the proportion of children aged 0–4 years with up-to-date vaccinations: 1·8% (–5·0 to 8·7) more children in the CCT group and 3·1% (–3·8 to 9·9) more in the UCT group than in the control group had complete records. 1 Robertson L Mushati P Eaton JW et al. Effects of unconditional and conditional cash transfers on child health and development in Zimbabwe: a cluster-randomised trial. Lancet. 2013; 381: 1283-1292 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (140) Google Scholar Effects of unconditional and conditional cash transfers on child health and development in Zimbabwe: a cluster-randomised trialOur results support strategies to integrate cash transfers into social welfare programming in sub-Saharan Africa, but further evidence is needed for the comparative effectiveness of UCT and CCT programmes in this region. Full-Text PDF Open Access