Working Paper: NBER ID: w19107
Authors: Julian C. Jamison; Dean Karlan; Pia Raffler
Abstract: We evaluate the impact of a health information intervention implemented through mobile phones, using a clustered randomized control trial augmented by qualitative interviews. The intervention aimed to improve sexual health knowledge and shift individuals towards safer sexual behavior by providing reliable information about sexual health. The novel technology designed by Google and Grameen Technology Center provided automated searches of an advice database on topics requested by users via SMS. It was offered by MTN Uganda at no cost to users. Quantitative survey results allow us to reject the hypothesis that improving access to information would increase knowledge and shift behavior to less risky sexual activities. In fact, we find that the service led to an increase in promiscuity, and no shift in perception of norms. Qualitative focus groups discussions support the findings of the quantitative survey results. We conclude by discussing a potential mechanism explaining the counterintuitive findings.
Keywords: mHealth; sexual health; randomized control trial; Uganda; mobile technology
JEL Codes: D13; O12; O31; O33
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Access to the texting service (L96) | Increase knowledge about HIV and contraception (J13) |
| Increased knowledge (D83) | Change in attitudes towards safer sexual practices (I14) |
| Access to the texting service (L96) | Safer sexual behavior and less promiscuity (D18) |
| Increased knowledge (D83) | Safer sexual behavior and less promiscuity (D18) |
| Access to the texting service (L96) | Awareness of risks associated with behavior (D91) |
| Increased awareness of risks (D18) | Change in behavior towards safer practices (D18) |
| Access to the texting service (L96) | Shift in social norms towards safer sexual practices (O35) |