Evaluation of a Cash Transfer Program in Low-Income Families in Guinea-Bissau

Evaluation of a Cash Transfer Program in Low-Income Families in Guinea-Bissau

This pilot study will test the effect of a cash transfer program aiming to improve family food consumption patterns, family health and schooling, with resulting benefits for childhood growth and cognition.

Cash transfer (CT) programs in low-income countries that allow recipients to receive cash designated for specific household expenditures such as food and family health and education typically show significant program benefits. In particular, several programs have shown positive impacts on use of health care resources, nutrition status and self-reported health, along with significant improvements in the motor and cognitive development of young children.

Guinea-Bissau is currently the 11th poorest country and is thus an appropriate target for a cash transfer program. This project will pilot test the effect of a 2 year cash transfer program aiming to improve family food consumption patterns, family health and schooling, with resulting benefits for childhood growth and cognition. Family-wide assessment will be conducted to examine the impact in all family members. Baseline and 3 follow up assessments will be completed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Families (defined as groups of individuals who routinely eat together) in 3 regions of Guinea-Bissau.
• Identified by developing scale based upon household characteristics and assets per capita. As well as access to services such as water, electricity and sanitation.
• Families having the lowest score identified as lowest income were recruited.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Families with high scores on asset scale.
• Families uninterested in participating.