Innovations for Poverty Action

Diagnostic accuracy of a malaria rapid diagnostic test compared with polymerase chain reaction in Lao People’s Democratic Republic: a secondary data analysis

Abstract Background Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used in malaria endemic countries in both clinical and community settings for timely diagnosis, case management and surveillance. Since Greater Mekong Subregion countries approach malaria elimination with residu...

Remote parent coaching in preschool mathematics: Evidence from Peru

We evaluate a 10-week intervention in Peru that randomly offered remote coaching to parents of preschool children during the 2021 summer break, complementing publicly available mathematics lessons delivered by broadcast media. Coaches provided guidance and encouragement through p...

Phone-call tutorials improve learning cost-effectively during education emergencies

Across five randomized trials in India, Kenya, Nepal, the Philippines and Uganda, weekly 20-minute mobile-phone-call tutorials produced large learning gains for primary-school children during school closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments can keep children learning...

Mobile education builds resilience during shocks in five countries

Abstract Education systems need to withstand frequent shocks, including disease and climate events, which close schools for more than 222 million children 1 . During these emergencies, alternative models are needed to deliver education. However, rigorous evaluation of effective e...