Download This PaperExploring the Health Outcomes of Conditional Cash Transfer Program in Rural Philippines
Peñalba, E. H. (2019). Exploring the Health Outcomes of a Conditional Cash Transfer Program in Rural Philippines. Journal of Social Work Education and Practice, 4(3), 37-51.
15 Pages Posted: 5 May 2020
Date Written: July 1, 2019
Abstract
The Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps), the first conditional cash transfer (CCT) program of the Philippine government, has become a popular approach aimed at improving the health and educational status of disadvantaged households. Its implementation is expected to advance the government’s health agenda, particularly in terms of child mortality reduction and maternal health improvement. Despite the growing evidence on the positive health outcomes resulting from the implementation of CCT programs, evidence remains limited to the qualitative evaluation of health care service utilization among beneficiary households. In this regard, by employing key interviews and focus group discussion, this study aims to examine the impacts of 4Ps on health and nutrition as experienced and perceived by beneficiaries at a community-level implementation. After subjecting the interview transcripts to thematic network analysis, the results reveal six dominant themes: enhanced health practices, improved uptake of health care services, increased awareness on health issues, improved living conditions, responsive program implementation, and persisting implementation challenges. While it is evident that the positive impacts are reflective of the beneficiaries’ strict compliance to meet the program conditionalities, there is still much to be done to ensure the sustainability of the program. The provision for adequate health care should then be supplemented with reinforced delivery of the program’s learning component (family development session) and support mechanism to the implementers.
Keywords: Conditional Cash Transfer, Social Welfare, Health Outcomes, Thematic Network Analysis
JEL Classification: I1, I18, I3, I30, I31, I38
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