Cash Transfers Research Articles

National Social Register as a Veritable Tool for Social Protection and Educational Development: Evidence from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

The study assessed the impact of the National Social Register as a veritable tool for social protection and educational development: Evidence from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design. The population of the study consisted of 43,360 households. A sample of 396 respondents were used for the study, employing multistage sampling techniques. Questionnaires alongside interviews were employed for data collection. Data was analyzed using charts, frequencies, percentages and chi-square test. The findings of the study show that 6752 households were captured in 9 council wards that were captured in NSR out of the 12 council wards in the study area. Then, 439 households benefited from social protection programs informed of cash transfer. The study established that social protection intervention programs that the poor and vulnerable households benefited from significantly improve their level of income. Furthermore, the findings of the study also show that social protection intervention programs that the poor and vulnerable households captured in NSR benefited from have a significant impact on the educational progress of their children in the study area. The study concluded that the National Social Register (NSR) is a veritable tool for social protection and educational development in the study area. Therefore, the study recommended that governments at all levels in Nigeria should commit their resources in strengthening the process of building the NSR given that accurate data is necessary for social protection programs, development policies and planning as well as educational development.

This Crisis Is Different: Weakened Economic Accountability During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

ABSTRACTClassic economic voting theories suggest Donald Trump would be held accountable for the recession during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic. I argue, however, that traditional economic voting patterns were less important in 2020 than they otherwise would have been due to the pandemic. Three factors potentially reduced the economy's effect: the complicated and multifaceted nature of this crisis made it difficult to attribute responsibility to the president, the economy's salience fell as the public focused on other issues, and cash transfers cushioned households facing economic uncertainty. I test this expectation in three ways, and all show weak economic voting in 2020. President Trump was generally not held accountable for the personal economic dislocations such as job losses or income reductions individuals endured during the pandemic. The individual‐level connection between sociotropic evaluations and presidential approval weakened in 2020. Finally, President Trump's aggregate approval rating reflected consumer confidence before the pandemic but not during it. The electorate does not blindly hold the incumbent accountable for economic outcomes.

Financial Incentives, Income Supplementation, Cash Transfer, and Universal Basic Income Interventions in Diabetes: Understanding Differences and Effectiveness: A Scoping Review.

The objective of this review is to evaluate and summarize the evidence base for the effects of monetary intervention approaches (the use of positive monetary reinforcers and gains) on diabetes outcomes. A reproducible search using OVID Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL was conducted. Articles published from database creation up to July 2024 were searched. Outcomes included hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), LDL, BMI, blood pressure, quality of life (QOL), psychosocial factors, self-care behaviors, and diabetes complications. A total of 13 articles met inclusion criteria and were included for final synthesis. Looking at the monetary approach across each study, eight used financial incentives, three used a form of income supplementation, one used cash transfers, and one used a combination of income supplementation and financial incentives. Ten of the 13 studies found statistically significant and clinically meaningful changes in HbA1c. For participants receiving interventions, change in HbA1c ranged from 0.19% to 1.74% for interventions incorporating financial incentives, 0.7% to 1.3% for interventions incorporating income supplementation, and 0.2% to 0.7% for the study incorporating cash transfers. Overall, evidence supports the relationship between monetary approaches, diabetes-related outcomes, and self-care behaviors across monetary approaches. Future studies should consider comparison between different monetary approaches using designs that will allow identification of effective strategies. As these approaches are theoretically and structurally different, pathways identifying the underlying mechanisms of change are greatly needed to advance the field.

Are cash transfers enough to reduce poverty and inequalities for people with disabilities?: a qualitative study on factors affecting the impact of the disability allowance in the Maldives

ABSTRACT Cash transfers are frequently used as a policy instrument to reduce poverty and address disability-related costs amongst people with disabilities. Recent evaluations, however, have found that these programmes often only have modest impacts. This study presents qualitative research linked to an impact evaluation in the Maldives, involving interviews with 43 people with disabilities. It highlighted factors that could affect the effectiveness of the Disability Allowance: the value of the cash transfer was insufficient to cover both basic needs and disability-related goods and services; many adult recipients lacked control over the allowance and how it was spent; many recipients were not referred to complementary programmes that could cover some extra costs; poor availability and quality of needed goods and services; and the broader lack of adequate disability-inclusive planning. These findings carry implications for the 170+ countries implementing disability-targeted programmes, indicating areas for improvement in the design and delivery of social protection.

Cash transfers and the Han-Minority household energy poverty gap in rural China

Cash transfers and the Han-Minority household energy poverty gap in rural China

Eradicating Extreme Poverty in Bengkalis Regency: A Strategic Breakthrough with Holistic Approach

Extreme poverty in Bengkalis Regency is one of the main challenges of regional development, especially in coastal and island areas. This article analyzes strategies to accelerate the elimination of extreme poverty by using a holistic approach of socio-economic programs and government intervention innovations. The study focuses on programs such as Gerakan Desa Mandiri and Direct Cash Assistance that are designed to improve the welfare of extreme poor households through entrepreneurship training, cash transfers, and basic infrastructure development. Using data from the 2023 Integrated Database Updating (PBDT) and 2024 BPS, multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the determinants of program success. Results show an extreme poverty reduction of 7% between 2023 and 2024, with the highest achievements in Mandau (31%) and Rupat (23%) sub-districts. However, major challenges remain in remote areas such as Bengkalis sub-district. This article suggests intensification of community-based programs, improving access to employment, and cross-sector coordination to achieve the target of eliminating extreme poverty by 2025.

Building farming resilience to climate change through social assistance in South-Eastern Zimbabwe

Agriculture is the major source of livelihood and income for about 80% of the Zimbabwean population. However, in recent decades, climate change, political standoffs, hyperinflation, and an energy crisis have held the sector hostage. Policy and academic scholarship have mainly focused on reforming agricultural policies. Studies on the diagnostic potential of non-contributory social assistance in increasing resilience and recovery from shocks are limited. Focusing on south-eastern Zimbabwe, this article identifies climate change-related farming challenges. It explores how social assistance, cash transfers and material transfers, in particular, can generate the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change. The article utilised mixed methods research data collected between June and December 2022. The study shows increased use of improved inputs, increased farm output and asset ownership, risk coping and non-farm investment, household income, food security, and production capabilities. The results provide a sufficient empirical rationale for promoting social assistance and smallholder agriculture interactions. It shows how social assistance interventions generate multiplier effects in smallholder farming. The government should normalise the increasing demand for smallholder farming products to promote agriculture through social protection.

A study to assess the awareness and utilization regarding government scheme “Janani Suraksha Yojana” (JSY) among general public in New Delhi

Maternal health remains a pressing public health challenge in India, with high maternal and neonatal mortality rates influenced by poverty, limited healthcare access, and cultural barriers. To address these issues, the Government of India introduced the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) in 2005, a conditional cash transfer program promoting institutional deliveries to reduce mortality rates. Despite its significance, awareness and utilization of the scheme remain low among the public. So, in this concern an quantitative and descriptive research was conducted, the aim of the study aimed to evaluate the awareness and utilization of JSY among attendees of the antenatal outpatient department at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, New Delhi with 112 participants selected through convenient sampling. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire distributed via a Google Form link and Bar Code. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and chi-square tests. The results revealed that 57.1% of respondents were unaware of JSY, and 77.7% had not utilized the scheme. No significant association was found between demographic factors and awareness levels. Knowledge regarding Janani Suraksha Yojna was disseminated through charts, posters, pamphlets and nukkad natak among the general public. The study highlights the need to increase awareness and utilization of JSY among the general public in New Delhi. Health education programs and awareness campaigns can be implemented to promote the scheme and improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Fishermen's Perception of Direct Cash Assistance during The Covid-19 Pandemic (Kalumpangloe Village Case of Arungkeke Subdistrict Jeneponto)

This study aims to determine Fishermen's perceptions of cash transfers in Kalumpangloe Village, Arungkeke District, Jeneponto Regency during the pandemic. This research was conducted from February to March 2021 in Kalumpangloe Village, Arungkeke District, Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi. The method that we used is Non-Probability Sampling. The data source that we used are primary data and secondary data. The data analysis method used in this research is quantitative and qualitative. Meanwhile, for quantitative data analysis, the Likerts scale was used to determine the fishermen's perception of cash transfer. Cash transfers implementation mechanism starts from the stage of socialization, data verification, information, disbursement and evaluation. Perceptions of fishermen in Kalumpang Loe Village, Jeneponto Regency, obtained through 4 indicators, it's known that the village community considers that cash transfers is very useful as assistance to provides their necessities, but they didn't use to provides business fund. The process of sending cash transfers was not filled the promised time and the target, and also the target of cash transfers recipients that is set by the government already reaches it's target. The allocation of cash transfers by the people of Kalumpangloe Village is as much as 55% for food needs, 8% for clothing needs, 4% for housing needs, 14% used as bussines fund, 17% used for children's education costs, and 2% for other allocations. Where the amount of cash transfers funds is IDR 300,000/month.

Annual Research Review: Cash transfer programs and young people's mental health - a review of studies in the United States.

Worldwide, more than one in 10 children or adolescents is diagnosed with a mental disorder. Cash transfer programs, which aim to reduce poverty and improve life outcomes by providing direct cash assistance to families and incentivizing or enabling spending on education, health service use, dietary diversity and savings, have been shown to improve the mental health and well-being of young people in low- and middle-income countries. The goal of this review is to describe cash transfer programs in the United States, to describe potential mechanisms by which cash transfer programs could improve child and adolescent mental health and to summarize any evidence of the impact of cash transfer programs. We conclude that much of the evidence on the relationship between cash transfer programs and child and adolescent mental health in the United States is based on a relatively small set of studies. Although most of these studies find that cash transfer programs are associated with reductions in emotional or behavioural health problems, effect sizes are small. For potential mechanisms of cash transfer effects, the strongest evidence is that cash transfer programs increase child-related expenditures and savings and increase time spent with children. Evidence is mixed on whether cash transfer programs improve maternal mental health, parental disciplinary practices or children's exposure to violence.

To Defer or to Differ: Experimental Evidence on the Role of Cash Transfers in Nigerian Couples’ Decision–Making

To Defer or to Differ: Experimental Evidence on the Role of Cash Transfers in Nigerian Couples’ Decision–Making

Water source, latrine type, and rainfall are associated with detection of non-optimal and enteric bacteria in the vaginal microbiome: a prospective observational cohort study nested within a cluster randomized controlled trial

BackgroundLess than one-third of sub-Saharan Africans have access to improved water sources. In US, Indian, and African studies, Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is increased among women with poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). We examined water source, sanitation (latrine type), and rainfall in relation to the vaginal microbiome (VMB).MethodsIn a cluster randomized controlled trial of menstrual cups and cash transfer, we measured the impact of cups on VMB via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing in a subset of 436 adolescent girls. We analyzed how self-reported water source and latrine type at home related to VMB over 18-months, examining community state type I (CST-I, L. crispatus dominant) vs. other CST; alpha diversity; targeted taxa (coliform and other water-related pathogens); and non-targeted taxa via machine learning approaches. Mixed effects multivariable longitudinal models were adjusted for intervention arm, age, socioeconomic status, sexual activity, and cluster-level school WASH and rainfall (in millimeters).ResultsAdjusting for all covariates in all models: (1) the odds of CST-I were increased among participants with piped water (vs. pond), and decreased with traditional pit latrine vs. flush toilet. (2) Alpha diversity varied by water source and latrine type without consistent trends. (3) Coliform bacteria relative abundance (RA) was higher among participants with traditional pit or ventilated improved pit latrines vs. flush toilet, and higher among participants relying on stream vs. pond water. Streptococcus agalactiae RA was higher among participants with non-flush toilets, while Bacteroides fragilis RA was lower with non-flush toilets. (4) Key taxa from non-targeted analyses associated with water source and latrine type included typical vaginal bacteria, opportunistic pathogens, and urinary tract pathobionts. (6) Increased rainfall was associated with decreased odds of CST-I.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03051789, February 14, 2017.

Exploring Which Public Health Interventions Are More Effective to Reduce Maternal and Child Health Inequalities in South Asia: A Systematic Literature Review

Background: Maternal and child health disparities remain a pressing public health concern in South Asia. This systematic review addresses a critical gap in the literature by evaluating the effectiveness of public health interventions targeting these disparities in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Distinguishing itself from prior studies, this research provides a thorough examination of the combined effects of community-based programs, financial assistance, and nutritional supplementation, offering a fresh and comprehensive perspective on strategies to reduce health inequities in the region. Methods: A systematic review and narrative synthesis were conducted using databases such as PubMed and Medline, covering articles published between 2000 and 2019. The inclusion criteria focused on observational and experimental studies evaluating interventions aimed at improving maternal and child health. The quality of the studies was assessed using the CASP checklists. Results: The review included 19 studies that demonstrated significant reductions in maternal and child health disparities. Key interventions included demand-side financial assistance, community education, and nutritional supplements. For example, Iron Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation, combined with antenatal care and tetanus toxoid vaccination, significantly reduced postnatal and under-5 mortality (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.45–0.98). Another study reported a 30% reduction in the maternal mortality rate (MMR) among targeted populations. Discussion: Integrating mental health support within maternal healthcare is crucial to addressing exacerbated vulnerabilities. Effective public health initiatives—including financial aid, community-based programs, and improved healthcare services—have demonstrated potential in reducing these disparities. Policy recommendations include combining nutritional supplementation with antenatal care, expanding conditional cash transfer schemes, and enhancing mental health services. Conclusion: Community-based and targeted interventions are essential for reducing health disparities. Policies should prioritize integrated care models, targeted subsidies, and enhanced mental health services to achieve sustainable improvements in maternal and child health outcomes.

Child Well-Being, Family Functioning, and Contextual Strain: A Study of Multi-Assisted Low-Income Families.

This study aimed to examine the effects of poverty on child well-being and family functioning among low-income families. Specifically, it explored the role of parental stress, family dynamics, and contextual strain on children's behavioral and emotional outcomes. Using a sample of families receiving welfare support, the research sought to assess the impact of conditional cash transfer programs and the involvement of Child Protective Services on child development and family well-being. This cross-sectional study involved 99 children aged 8-12 from low-income, welfare-assisted families recruited from the Porto Metropolitan Area. Parental stress, parenting attitudes, family functioning, and child outcomes were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Families with and without Child Protective Services involvement were compared, and a cumulative index of contextual strain was developed to measure the multidimensional impact of stressors on child outcomes. The results revealed that 53% of children exhibited clinical or borderline internalizing behaviors, 47% showed externalizing behaviors, and 39% experienced low psychological well-being. High levels of parental stress, low parenting competence, and significant contextual strain were associated with poorer child outcomes. Families involved with Child Protective Services showed no significant differences in parent or family characteristics, but children from these families exhibited fewer behavioral problems. The study highlights the pervasive impact of poverty and contextual strain on child development, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive interventions. Family functioning and parental stress are critical factors influencing child well-being, pointing to the importance of addressing these areas through targeted welfare and support programs to reduce the intergenerational transmission of poverty and improve child outcomes.

Implementing Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan with Beneficiaries for Improving Performance: Evidence from Tanzania Conditional Cash Transfer

The study assessed the influence of households’ involvement in the implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan on the performance of the Tanzania Conditional Cash Transfer Project (CCTP). The study used the mixed method whereby the sample size was 400 heads of households while purposive sampling enabled to obtain 8 Village Committees and 8 Monitoring Officers. Quantitative data was analysed using Pearson’s correlation and regression model while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. The study established a significant influence between households’ involvement in the implementation of the M&E plan (t= 8.472, p-value =.000) on the performance of the Tanzania CCTP. It was recommended therefore that the Tanzania CCTP M&E policy should be reviewed to ensure it is vital for households’ involvement in the M&E cycle. The research recommended further study on the organizational practice and level of use of M&E information for further improving performance.

Mancession vs. Shecession: gender disparities during COVID-19 in Indonesia

ABSTRACT Economic downturns may affect men more than women (mancession) or vice versa (shecession). However, evidence of this phenomenon during COVID-19 in Indonesia remains inconclusive, with studies often overlooking quantile variations and missing observation biases. Using logistic regression with multiple imputations and Blinder – Oaxaca inequality decomposition through unconditional quantile regressions on labour force survey data, we find that the pandemic’s impact on individual workers varied by gender and probability level. In the third-quartile probability groups, job (income) loss showed a mancession (shecession) pattern owing to discrimination (female vulnerable characteristics). Given Indonesia’s existing focus on supporting women, gender-specific interventions are essential: revising male-dominated gender norms for men, expanding vocational training programs, and strengthening cash transfer initiatives for women.

Cash transfers and voting among young women in Malawi

ABSTRACT We investigate the effects of cash transfer programs on adolescent females’ likelihood to vote in Malawi using data from a randomized control experiment. We find that cash transfers reduce adolescent females’ likelihood to vote. Our finding is consistent with existing evidence, which indicates an inverse relationship between income and voting in developing democracies. We also find suggestive evidence that cash transfers reduce the likelihood of voting through an income effect. By increasing the income of recipients, cash transfers could reduce the marginal utility of immediate financial gains that individuals might obtain from voting (in the form of vote buying) in developing democracies. In doing so, they might lower the incentive to participate in voting.

A qualitative study of unconditional cash transfers with adults experiencing homelessness

ABSTRACT Despite research showing that unconditional cash transfer (UCT) projects can help reduce poverty, few UCT projects have targeted people experiencing homelessness (PEH). Based upon a sample of 20 PEH who were randomly selected to receive $750 a month for one year as part of a larger randomized control trial, the current qualitative study considers how PEH react to receiving UCT and how they spend or plan to spend the funds. Study participants who enrolled in the larger study between January and October 2023 were invited to participate in a semi-structured qualitative interview that was conducted between one – and three-months after receiving an initial cash payment. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Study participants, who were living in diverse circumstances, reported using their payments most commonly on food followed by other expenses such as phone bills, car upkeep, and health care. Three themes that emerged included: (1) reckoning with the money: (2) pursuit of housing; and (3) helping others. The findings challenge common stereotypes of homeless persons as irresponsible and lacking in the self-control needed to live within their means.

Interventions to Enhance Facility Deliveries in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review.

The objectives of this review were to identify and map evidence of interventions to enhance facility deliveries in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A search for all relevant existing reports in the literature was conducted in December 2020 using the following online bibliographic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL. A manual search of the reference lists of relevant systematic reviews and all identified studies was performed to identify additional studies. Two reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts of the retrieved studies, and then screened the full text identified as inclusion in the initial screening. The search of electronic databases and hand searching identified a total of 6682 articles. A total of 40 reports were identified for full-text review, and 31 reports were excluded. Finally, nine trials were included in the scoping review, and a total of 29,892 women were included in this review. Of nine trials, one was conducted in Nepal, and the other eight trials were performed in Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia. Our review found the following effective interventions to enhance facility deliveries: group antenatal care (ANC), birth plans, full vouchers, conditional cash transfers (CCTs), non-monetary incentives, and short message service (SMS). Women who received group ANC, promotion of birth plans, full vouchers, CCTs, non-monetary incentives, and SMS were significantly more likely to deliver at a facility.

Cash transfers and women’s economic inclusion in rural Zambia

This paper investigates whether an increase in exogenous income through the Child Grants model of the Social Cash Transfer programme in Zambia fosters economic inclusion among rural women. We conceptualize economic inclusion as a transformative process comprised of four pillars: productive capacity, saving capacity, women’s empowerment, and time preferences and expectations. Using experimental data, we find strong evidence of direct impacts of the Child Grant on productive and saving capacity, and time preferences and expectations of rural women. In addition to these direct impacts, we implement a mediation analysis to explore the potential mediating role of time preferences and expectations in affecting the other pillars of economic inclusion. Through this approach, we find indicative evidence of indirect and mutually reinforcing relationships between changes in time preferences and expectations brought about through the Child Grant and improvements in the productive and saving capacity of beneficiaries. These results suggest that cash transfers might be effective in promoting women’s economic inclusion, both through the direct monetary effect and through the mediated effect of time preferences and expectations.