The Power of Faith: Effects of an Imam-Led Information Campaign on Labor Supply and Social Interactions

54 Pages Posted: 12 Nov 2024

See all articles by Alexandra Avdeenko

Alexandra Avdeenko

World Bank

Jakob Gärtner

World Bank

Marc Gillaizeau

World Bank

Ghida Karbala

World Bank

Laura Montenbruck

Stockholm University

Giulia Montresor

University of Verona - Department of Economics

Atika Pasha

Center for Evaluation and Development

Galina Zudenkova

TU Dortmund University; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Abstract

We conduct a randomized controlled trial in rural Pakistan, comparing the effects of a remote awareness campaign with and without Imam-led loudspeaker endorsements on strategies to contain disease spread. Our results show that labor supply and social interactions decrease significantly only when religious leaders support the campaign, particularly among men. These results cannot be explained by differences in the mode or frequency of treatment across groups. Our findings—compatible with predictions from a model that analyzes the individual trade-off between prevention benefits and losses from forgone income—highlight the critical role of religious figures in shaping public responses to health crises.

Keywords: Labor, Health, Religion, RCT, Information Campaign

Suggested Citation

Avdeenko, Alexandra and Gärtner, Jakob and Gillaizeau, Marc and Karbala, Ghida and Montenbruck, Laura and Montresor, Giulia and Pasha, Atika and Zudenkova, Galina, The Power of Faith: Effects of an Imam-Led Information Campaign on Labor Supply and Social Interactions. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5017612 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5017612

Alexandra Avdeenko

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Jakob Gärtner

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Marc Gillaizeau

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Ghida Karbala

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Laura Montenbruck (Contact Author)

Stockholm University ( email )

Universitetsvägen 10
Stockholm, SE-106 91
Sweden

Giulia Montresor

University of Verona - Department of Economics ( email )

Via Cantarane, 24
Verona, 37129
Italy

Atika Pasha

Center for Evaluation and Development ( email )

O7, 3
Mannheim, 68161
Germany

Galina Zudenkova

TU Dortmund University ( email )

Friedrich-Wöhler-Weg 6
Dortmund, 44227
Germany

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) ( email )

London
United Kingdom

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