Stigma and program take-up. Evidence from a Large-Scale Experiment using SMS

Last registered on October 28, 2020

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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title

Stigma and program take-up. Evidence from a Large-Scale Experiment using SMS

RCT ID

AEARCTR-0006549

Initial registration date

October 27, 2020

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published

October 28, 2020, 9:12 AM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

Country

Uruguay

Region

Country

Primary Investigator

Name

Nicolas Ajzenman

Affiliation

Sao Paulo School of Economics - FGV

Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

Additional Trial Information

Status

In development

Start date

2020-10-15

End date

2020-12-31

Keywords

Behavior, Labor

Additional Keywords

Stigma, Race

JEL code(s)

D9, J15

Secondary IDs

Abstract

Social programs, such as affirmative action policies have been proved to be effective in many context to reduce gaps ratial or gender gaps in a variety of dimensions. However, the effectiveness of these types of interventions could be jeopardized by factors that reduce take-up, such as stigma. In this paper we test a low-cost nation-wide behavioral intervention, delivered through WhatsApp/SMS, to reduce stigma and improve the take-up of a free vocational training program, by afro-descendant individuals in Uruguay. The intervention consisted in sending six messages during three weeks. The content of the messages was designed to reduce the individual and social stigma that is potentially related to attending the program. A placebo group received the same number of messages but with neutral information about the program. We measure the impact of our intervention using outcomes related to expression of interest (e.g., actively seeking information about the program), stigma-related beliefs from and end-up survey and program enrollment.

External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation

Ajzenman, Nicolas. 2020. "Stigma and program take-up. Evidence from a Large-Scale Experiment using SMS." AEA RCT Registry. October 28. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.6549-1.0

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Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)

There are two arms (control and treatment). Both arms will receive six SMS messages for six weeks (two per week). What varies is the content of the messages. The intervention's goal is to induce individuals to apply to a vocational training program that is provided for free by the government. The program has a quota of 8% reserved for afro-descendants, which is typically not reached. The intervention is targeted at afro-descendants. The hypothesis, based on previous analysis conducted by the government, is that an essential part of the problem is related to stigma: they do not think the programs "are for them" (e.g., people "like them" do not take it). Moreover, as any social program, their problems are related to individual stigma: it is designed to help those supposedly in need and, thus, it may carry a negative connotation.

Intervention Start Date

2020-10-15

Intervention End Date

2020-12-31

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)

1) Interest/intention: number of contact/information requests through a platform (the link to the platform is provided in the control and treatment groups).

2) Enrollment in the workshops

2) Application: application (binary) to the vocational training program.

Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)

Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

There are two arms. Both arms will receive six SMS/WhatsApp messages for six weeks (two per week). What varies is the content of the messages. The intervention's goal is to induce individuals to apply to a vocational training program that is provided for free by the government. The program has a quota of 8% reserved for afro-descendants, which is typically not reached. The intervention is targeted at afro-descendants. The hypothesis, based on previous analysis conducted by the government, is that an essential part of the problem is related to stigma: they do not think the programs "are for them" (e.g., people "like them" do not take it). Moreover, as any social program, their problems are related to individual stigma: it is designed to help those supposedly in need and, thus, it may carry a negative connotation.

Experimental Design Details

Randomization Method

Randomization at the individual level done in office by a computer.

Randomization Unit

Individuals

Was the treatment clustered?

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters

No clustering

Sample size: planned number of observations

5,000 individuals in total approximately (some numbers could be wrong)

Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms

5,000 individuals in total approximately (some numbers could be wrong)

Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)

Considering a power of 80% and a confidence level (two-sided) of 95%: Main outcomes: 1) Number of emails received. Considering a baseline of 10%, we would be able to detect an effect of 2.4% 2) Application to the program. Considering a baseline of 5%, we would be able to detect an effect of 1.8%

Supporting Documents and Materials

IRB