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Field
Intervention (Public)
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Before
Individuals either diagnosed with or at risk of hypertension were offered commitment contracts or price discount coupons to visit the weekly health clinic called “Hypertension Days” in their village for 3 times in 6 months. Specifically, individuals were randomly assigned into one of the following groups: (1) fixed (standard) commitment contracts without discount, (2) fixed (standard) commitment contracts with discount, (3) flexible (self-designed) commitment contracts without discount, (4) flexible (self-designed) commitment contracts with discount, (5) 50% discount coupons, (6) control group.
A fixed (standard) commitment contract works as follows. Should the respondent decide to sign up, she would be required to pay in advance for all 3 doctor visits (Rs. 60 or Rs. 20 per visit). She would also be asked to pay an additional commitment amount of Rs. 30, which she receives back in equal installments of Rs. 10 each time she visits the doctor. In other words, the respondent pays a total of Rs. 90 up front, and receives Rs. 10 on each of 3 visits.
A flexible (self-designed) commitment contract works similarly, but the respondent would be able to choose the commitment amount beginning with Rs. 0. As above, the respondent receives this committed amount back in 3 equal installments every time she visits the doctor.
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After
Individuals either diagnosed with or at risk of hypertension were offered commitment contracts or price discount coupons to visit the weekly health clinic called “Hypertension Days” in their village for 3 times in 6 months. Specifically, individuals were randomly assigned into one of the following groups: (1) fixed (standard) commitment contracts without discount, (2) fixed (standard) commitment contracts with discount, (3) flexible (self-designed) commitment contracts without discount, (4) flexible (self-designed) commitment contracts with discount, (5) 50% discount coupons, (6) control group.
A fixed (standard) commitment contract works as follows. Should the respondent decide to sign up, she would be required to pay in advance for all 3 doctor visits (Rs. 90 or Rs. 30 per visit). She would also be asked to pay an additional commitment amount of Rs. 45, which she receives back in equal installments of Rs. 15 each time she visits the doctor. In other words, the respondent pays a total of Rs. 135 up front, and receives Rs. 15 on each of 3 visits.
A flexible (self-designed) commitment contract works similarly, but the respondent would be able to choose the commitment amount beginning with Rs. 0. As above, the respondent receives this committed amount back in 3 equal installments every time she visits the doctor.
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