Research
Research
PUBLICATION:
Toffolutti, V., Ma, H., Menichelli, G., Berlot, E., Mencarini, L., & Aassve, A. (2020). "How the internet increases modern contraception uptake: evidence from eight sub-Saharan African countries". BMJ global health, 5(11), e002616. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002616. Ungated version
Abstract: Family planning programmes play a key role in improving the uptake of modern contraception, both by fostering women’s health and by lowering their fertility. Increasing awareness of contraception benefits is a major component of such programmes. Here, we ask whether internet access can bridge the gap between women’s need for modern contraception and women’s uptake of the same. We use a compendium of data for 125 242 women, aged 15–49, from the Demographic Health Survey, Akamai and International Communication Union data, covering eight SSA countries, for the period 2014–2019. The results show that the Internet exposure, measured as women access the internet at least monthly (almost daily), is associated with a positive, 11.4% (95% CI 10.6% to 12.2%) (53.8% (95% CI 13.4% to 94.1%)), increase in modern contraception uptake. Education is an important moderator, and poorly educated women benefit the most from internet exposure. There are two mechanisms at play: the internet increases women’s knowledge of contraception; and, in parallel, fosters their empowerment.
Robert Rogers, Doan Hai Ma, Tra Nguyen & Ngoc Anh Nguyen (2019)"Early childhood education and cognitive outcomes in adolescence: a longitudinal study from Vietnam". Education Economics, 27:6, 658-669, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09645292.2019.1657798. Ungated version
Abstract: Previous research shows that Early Childhood Education (ECE) positively impacts cognitive outcomes later in life. Few studies examine the impacts of ECE in developing countries. We use data from the Young Lives project in Vietnam with 2SLS regressions to estimate the impact of years spent in ECE on cognitive outcomes in adolescence. We find that one year in ECE corresponds to 21.8 percentage point (1.25 SD) and 30.8 percentage point (2.78 SD) increases in math and verbal cognition scores, respectively. Our estimates suggest that ECE is highly effective in Vietnam and is a potential strategy for bridging educational outcomes gaps.
WORKING PAPERS:
Ngoc Anh Nguyen and Doan Hai Ma (2018) “Effects of family, schooling and child characteristics on children and adolescent life satisfaction in Vietnam: Evidence from Young Lives data” Paper presented at Vietnam Economist Annual Meeting 2018 - slides
Nguyen, A, Ma. H and Johnes, G. (2017) “Double discrimination against female migrants in urban areas: Evidence from Vietnam”. Paper presented at Vietnam Economist Annual Meeting 2017 - slides
Nguyen, A and Ma, H. (2016) “Number of children, birth order and educational attainment: The case of Vietnam”. Paper presented at the Vietnam Economist Annual Meeting 2016 - slides
WORK IN PROGRESS:
Ngoc Anh Nguyen, Doan Hai Ma and Jeremy Nguyen (2018) "Childhood life satisfaction, studying pressure, and subsequent adult success in Vietnam: The role of parental expectation". Initial results presented at Vietnam Economist Annual Meeting 2018 - slides