Journal of Public Economics · 2024 · Johannes M. Bos、Abu Shonchoy、Saravana Ravindran、Akib Khan
中文摘要
政府能否利用现有的服务提供平台，大规模推广早期儿童发展（ECD）干预？我们通过实验研究了一项大规模、低成本的入户探访干预——提供材料与咨询——该干预被整合进孟加拉国的国家营养项目，且未向服务提供者（SP）提供额外经济激励。我们发现，服务提供者部分地从营养咨询转向了早期儿童发展咨询。意向处理估计表明，该干预对儿童认知（0.17个标准差）、语言（0.23个标准差）和社会情感得分（0.12—0.14个标准差）产生了正向影响。消瘦率和低体重率下降。年长兄姐的小学出勤率也有所提高。母亲自主权的改善、互补性的父母投入，以及既有营养项目参与率的提高，是重要的作用机制。我们估计其内部收益率相当可观，为18.9%。
Abstract
Can governments leverage existing service-delivery platforms to scale early childhood development (ECD) interventions? We experimentally study a large-scale, low-cost home-visiting intervention – providing materials and counseling – integrated into Bangladesh’s national nutrition program without extra financial incentives for service providers (SPs). We find SPs partially substitute away from nutritional to ECD counseling. Intent-to-treat estimates show positive impacts on child’s cognition (0.17 SD), language (0.23 SD), and socio-emotional scores (0.12-0.14 SD). Wasting and underweight rates decline. Older siblings’ primary school attendance increases as well. Improved maternal agency, complementary parental investments, and higher take-up of the pre-existing nutrition program are important mechanisms. We estimate a sizeable internal rate-of-return of 18.9%.