Working Paper: NBER ID: w27570
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: Clean Water; Health; Randomized Controlled Trial; Malawi
JEL Codes: D10; D12; I11; I12
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| CHW Home Delivery (I19) | Chlorine Usage (L95) |
| CHW Home Delivery (I19) | Child Health Outcomes (I14) |
| Coupon Program (C88) | Chlorine Usage (L95) |
| Coupon Program (C88) | Child Health Outcomes (I14) |
| Self-Targeting through Coupon Redemption (M31) | Chlorine Usage (L95) |