Micro-Loans, Insecticide-Treated Bednets, and Malaria: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Orissa, India

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Tarozzi, Alessandro; Mahajan, Aprajit; Blackburn, Brian; Kopf, Dan; Krishnan, Lakshmi; Yoong, Joanne
• 署名单位: Pompeu Fabra University; Barcelona School of Economics; University of California System; University of California Los Angeles; Stanford University; Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); National University of Singapore
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0002-8282
• DOI: 10.1257/aer.104.7.1909
• 发表日期: 2014
• 页码: 1909-1941
• 关键词: plasmodium-falciparum malaria; BED NETS; infectious-diseases; IMPACT; exposure; HEALTH; transmission; eradication; sustainability; morbidity

摘要

We describe findings from the first large-scale cluster randomized controlled trial in a developing country that evaluates the uptake of a health-protecting technology, insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs), through micro-consumer loans, as compared to free distribution and control conditions. Despite a relatively high price, 52 percent of sample households purchased ITNs, highlighting the role of liquidity constraints in explaining earlier low adoption rates. We find mixed evidence of improvements in malaria indices. We interpret the results and their implications within the debate about cost sharing, sustainability and liquidity constraints in public health initiatives in developing countries.