The evidence was uncertain for whether UCTs impacted livestock ownership , extreme poverty , participation in child labour , adult employment or parenting quality .
This body of evidence suggests that unconditional cash transfers ( UCTs ) may not impact a summary measure of health service use in children and adults in LMICs .
However , UCTs probably or may improve some health outcomes ( i.e. the likelihood of having had any illness , the likelihood of having been food secure , and the level of dietary diversity ) , one social determinant of health ( i.e. the likelihood of attending school ) , and healthcare expenditure .
BACKGROUND Unconditional cash transfers ( UCTs ; provided without obligation ) for reducing poverty and vulnerabilities ( e.g. orphanhood , old age or HIV infection ) are a type of social protection intervention that addresses a key social determinant of health ( income ) in low- and middle-income countries ( LMICs ) .
The relative effectiveness of UCTs compared with conditional cash transfers ( CCTs ; provided so long as the recipient engages in prescribed behaviours such as using a health service or attending school ) is unknown .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of UCTs for improving health services use and health outcomes in vulnerable children and adults in LMICs .
Secondary objectives are to assess the effects of UCTs on social determinants of health and healthcare expenditure and to compare to effects of UCTs versus CCTs .
The disproportionate burden of HIV and STIs among male sex workers in Mexico City and the rationale for economic incentives to reduce risks
Introduction The objective of this article is to present the rationale and baseline results for a r and omized controlled pilot trial using economic incentives to reduce HIV and sexually transmitted infection ( STI ) risk among male sex workers ( MSWs ) in Mexico City . Methods Participants ( n=267 ) were tested and treated for STIs ( chlamydia , gonorrhoea , syphilis and HIV ) and viral hepatitis ( hepatitis B and C ) , received HIV and STI prevention education  and were r and omized into four groups : ( 1 ) control , ( 2 ) medium conditional incentive ( $ 50/six months ) , ( 3 ) high conditional incentive ( $ 75/six months ) and ( 4 ) unconditional incentive ( $ 50/six months ) . In the conditional arms , incentives were contingent upon testing free of new curable STIs ( chlamydia , gonorrhoea and syphilis ) at follow-up assessment s. Results Participants ’ mean age was 25 years ; 8 % were homeless or lived in a shelter , 16 % were unemployed and 21 % lived in Mexico City less than 5 years . At baseline , 38 % were living with HIV , and 32 % tested positive for viral hepatitis or at least one STI ( other than HIV ) .  Participants had a mean of five male clients in the previous week ; 18 % reported condomless sex  with their last client . For 37 % , sex work was their main occupation and was conducted mainly on the streets ( 51 % ) or in bars/discotheques ( 24 % ) and hotels ( 24 % ) . The average price for a sex transaction was $ 25 with a 35 % higher payment for condomless sex . Conclusions The findings suggest that economic incentives are a relevant approach for HIV prevention among MSWs , given the market-based inducements for unprotected sex . This type of targeted intervention seems to be justified and should continue to be explored in the context of combination prevention efforts
The evidence was uncertain for whether UCTs impacted livestock ownership , extreme poverty , participation in child labour , adult employment or parenting quality .
This body of evidence suggests that unconditional cash transfers ( UCTs ) may not impact a summary measure of health service use in children and adults in LMICs .
However , UCTs probably or may improve some health outcomes ( i.e. the likelihood of having had any illness , the likelihood of having been food secure , and the level of dietary diversity ) , one social determinant of health ( i.e. the likelihood of attending school ) , and healthcare expenditure .
BACKGROUND Unconditional cash transfers ( UCTs ; provided without obligation ) for reducing poverty and vulnerabilities ( e.g. orphanhood , old age or HIV infection ) are a type of social protection intervention that addresses a key social determinant of health ( income ) in low- and middle-income countries ( LMICs ) .
The relative effectiveness of UCTs compared with conditional cash transfers ( CCTs ; provided so long as the recipient engages in prescribed behaviours such as using a health service or attending school ) is unknown .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of UCTs for improving health services use and health outcomes in vulnerable children and adults in LMICs .
Secondary objectives are to assess the effects of UCTs on social determinants of health and healthcare expenditure and to compare to effects of UCTs versus CCTs .