Community-based health programs and child vaccinations: Evidence from Madagascar

B-Tier
Journal: World Development
Year: 2023
Volume: 170
Issue: C

Authors (2)

Herrera-Almanza, Catalina (not in RePEc) Rosales-Rueda, Maria F. (University of Delaware)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Vaccinations are a cost-effective tool to prevent child mortality and morbidity; however, their access and take-up remain low in developing countries. We analyze the effects on child vaccinations of a large-scale community-based health worker program that aimed to reach remote areas distant from public health facilities in Madagascar. We identify these effects using a triple-difference design that leverages the time and geographic variation in the program rollout and the geocoded household distance to the closest health facility. Our findings indicate that, on average, the program did not improve the vaccination uptake in treated areas; however, the community health workers component had an additional effect on children’s vaccinations in the most remote areas from the closest health facility. Despite this improvement, we find that mothers’ religious affiliation might constitute a barrier for the vaccination uptake of the most remote and vulnerable children.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:wdevel:v:170:y:2023:i:c:s0305750x23001407
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29