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Text Messaging and its Impacts on the Health and Education of the Poor: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Rural China

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Listed:
  • Mo, Di
  • Luo, Renfu
  • Liu, Chengfang
  • Zhang, Huiping
  • Zhang, Linxiu
  • Medina, Alexis
  • Rozelle, Scott

Abstract

There is little evidence showing whether health information transmitted via text messages can change health and educational outcomes. We conducted a randomized field experiment involving 900 primary students in rural China to study whether a health education campaign conducted via text message could affect caregiver knowledge or student outcomes. When caregivers received both weekly health messages and monthly quiz questions (testing retention of the information conveyed in the weekly messages), caregiver knowledge improved and students experienced gains in both health and academic performance. When caregivers received weekly health messages only, there was no impact on caregiver knowledge or student outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Mo, Di & Luo, Renfu & Liu, Chengfang & Zhang, Huiping & Zhang, Linxiu & Medina, Alexis & Rozelle, Scott, 2014. "Text Messaging and its Impacts on the Health and Education of the Poor: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Rural China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 766-780.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:64:y:2014:i:c:p:766-780
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.07.015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Chicoine, Luke & Guzman, Juan Carlos, 2017. "Increasing Rural Health Clinic Utilization with SMS Updates: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in Uganda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 419-430.
    3. Crawfurd, Lee & Evans, David K. & Hares, Susannah & Sandefur, Justin, 2023. "Live tutoring calls did not improve learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    4. Lebedinski, Lara & Carneiro, Pedro & Urzua, Tamara Arnold & Perng, Julie & Boudet, Ana Maria Munoz & Sosa, Katia Herrera, 2024. "Experimental Impacts of a Virtual Parenting Program with Mothers and Fathers," IZA Discussion Papers 17028, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Gazi Mahabubul Alam & Md. Abdur Rahman Forhad, 2023. "The Impact of Accessing Education via Smartphone Technology on Education Disparity—A Sustainable Education Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-14, July.

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