Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) have become important components of social protection policies in Latin America. By establishing coresponsibilities tied to health and education, CCTs may reduce poverty and encourage human capital investment. While CCT programs can have unintended effects on sexual and reproductive health outcomes, such effects have been mixed and poorly documented in South America. This study examines the impact of Ecuador's CCT program, Bono de Desarrollo Humano, on contraceptive behavior among women of childbearing age who are sexually active and do not wish to become pregnant. We analyze nationally representative data in a regression‐discontinuity quasi‐experimental design. Using an instrumental variable approach and a set of robustness checks, our study finds no significant effects of the CCT program on contraceptive use. Our results offer important considerations for the ongoing policy debate in South America regarding the effects of cash transfer programs on beneficiaries.

中文翻译：

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现金转移和避孕药具的使用：断点回归分析


有条件现金转移支付（CCT）已成为拉丁美洲社会保护政策的重要组成部分。通过建立与健康和教育相关的共同责任，有条件现金转移可以减少贫困并鼓励人力资本投资。虽然 CCT 计划可能会对性健康和生殖健康结果产生意想不到的影响，但在南美洲，这种影响是复杂的，而且记录很少。本研究探讨了厄瓜多尔的 CCT 计划 Bono de Desarrollo Humano 对性活跃且不想怀孕的育龄妇女避孕行为的影响。我们在回归-不连续性准实验设计中分析了全国代表性的数据。使用工具变量方法和一系列稳健性检查，我们的研究发现 CCT 计划对避孕药具的使用没有显着影响。我们的研究结果为南美洲正在进行的关于现金转移计划对受益人的影响的政策辩论提供了重要的考虑因素。