NCT05665049

Social Transfers for Exclusive Breastfeeding

Social Transfers for Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Pilot Program in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 300 (actual)
• Sponsor: Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 42 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of social transfers on exclusive breastfeeding rates in Lao PDR. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Are social transfers effective at increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6-months 2. Are social transfers cost-effective 3. What are the long-term impacts of social transfers for breastfeeding on child development Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) control, no social transfer 2) non-conditional social transfer at 6-months postpartum, and 3) conditional social transfer at six months postpartum; conditional upon the mothers exclusive breastfeeding status. All participants receive education about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and current international recommendations. Researchers will compare the intervention groups to the control group to see if social transfers are effective at increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates at six months postpartum.

Conditions

• Breast Feeding, Exclusive
• Breastfeeding
• Development, Child
• Development, Infant

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Social Transfer	Social transfers are defined as a cash or in-kind transfer. Using results from a qualitative study, we identified the following culturally grounded social transfer options that is responsive to the identified needs of new mothers. Based on the monthly Lao PDR minimum wage and an estimated 15 full working days needed to exclusively breastfeed over a 6-month period, a social transfer of approximately $75 would fairly subsidize women's breastfeeding efforts. Therefore all social transfer options equate to approximately 75 USD. The options include: diapers, child developmental toys, cash, or a combination of these.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-08-01
• Primary completion: 2023-10-30
• Completion: 2027-12-31
• First posted: 2022-12-27
• Last updated: 2025-01-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Laos