Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP15095
Authors: Pascaline Dupas; Basimenye Nhlema; Zachary Wagner; Aaron Wolf; Emily Wroe
Abstract: Using data from an 18-month randomized trial, we estimate large and sustained impacts on water purification and child health of a program providing monthly coupons for free water treatment solution (diluted chlorine) to households with young children. The program is more effective and much more cost-effective than asking Community Health Workers (CHWs) to distribute free chlorine to households during routine monthly visits. That is because only 40% of households make use of free chlorine, targeting through CHWs is worse than self-targeting through coupon redemption, and water treatment promotion by CHWs does not increase chlorine use among free chlorine beneficiaries. Non-use of free chlorine is driven by households who have a protected water source and those who report that chlorine makes water taste bad.
Keywords: Community Health Workers; Chlorine; Targeting; Child Health
JEL Codes: D10; O12; I11; I12
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Protected Water Source (Q25) | Chlorine Usage (L95) |
| Taste Preferences (D11) | Chlorine Usage (L95) |
| Coupon Program (C88) | Chlorine Usage (L95) |
| Chlorine Usage (L95) | Child Illnesses (I19) |
| CHW Interventions (I19) | Chlorine Usage (L95) |
| CHW Interventions (I19) | Child Illnesses (I19) |