Table 3 Primary and secondary outcomes in this analysis and their measurements, populations for which they were considered, and hypothesised links to cash transfers
Outcome | Measurement | Population | Hypothesised links to CTs |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary outcomes | |||
Any recent sexual activity | Had sexual intercourse in the past 30 days | M & F (15–29) M & F (30–54) (who had sex before) | Females: CTs may lead to economic empowerment and reduce the economic necessity to engage in transactional relationships or sex work, which may be reflected in lower numbers of sexual partners and having recent sexual intercourse. Increased school enrolment (and so attendance) may reduce sexual activity and numbers of partners. Similarly, CTs may reduce economic barriers to accessing condoms and economic dependence on sexual partners, so condom use may be more viable. Males: Increased sexual activity and number of partners and reduced condom use may be adverse effects of the economic empowerment through CTs, while increased school enrolment (and attendance) may reduce sexual activity. |
Multiple sexual partners | > 1 sexual partner in past 12 months | ||
Condom use | Condom use during last sexual intercourse | ||
Sexual debut | Having had sex before | M & F (15–20)a | CTs may lead to delayed sexual debut partially through improved school enrolment and by reducing economic incentives to engage in sexual activity (for females). |
Secondary outcomes | |||
Psychological distress | ≥7 symptoms of psychological distress (25-item scale) | M & F (15–29) M & F (30–54) | Poverty and income inequality can lead to psychological distress, which may be alleviated with CTs. See [46] for details. |
School enrolment | Currently enrolled in schoolb | M & F (15–20)c | CTs remove economic barriers to school enrolment. School attendance was also a condition in the conditional CT intervention. |
Alcohol use | Visited a beer hall in past 30 days or having > 3 drinks when drinking alcohol | M & F (15–29) M & F (30–54) | Adverse effects of CTs could include non-sexual potentially health-damaging behaviours, including alcohol and drug use and cigarette smoking. Alcohol and drug use could also lead to increase in potentially risky sexual behaviour. |
Smoking | Current smoking of cigarettes | ||
Drug use | Taking any type of recreational drug | ||