Gains at Age 30 Years From the Supplementation and Stimulation Study 2017-2018 Impact Evaluation Survey [Jamaica]

SERIES INFORMATION

The 127 participants who completed an early childhood home visiting program, the Jamaica Early Childhood Stimulation intervention implemented in 1987-1989, were surveyed at baseline and at the end of the second year of the intervention. Subsequent surveys occurred at ages 7, 11, 17, 22, and 31. This is the most recent survey of the sample taken when participants were approximately 31 years old.

ABSTRACT

This study reports the labor market effects of the Jamaica Early Childhood Stimulation intervention at age 31. The study is a small-sample randomized early childhood education stimulation intervention targeting stunted children living in the poor neighborhoods of Kingston, Jamaica. Implemented in 1987–89, treatment consisted of a two-year, home-based intervention designed to improve nutrition and the quality of mother-child interactions to foster cognitive, language, and psycho-social skills. The original sample was 127 stunted children between ages 9 and 24 months. The 2017-2018 study was able to track and interview 75 percent of the original sample 30 years after the intervention, both still living in Jamaica and migrated abroad. The findings reveal large and statistically significant effects on income and schooling; the treatment group had 43 percent higher hourly wages and 37 percent higher earnings than the control group. This is a substantial increase over the treatment effect estimated for age 22, when a 25 percent increase in earnings was observed.

This survey includes a series of questions about how respondents feel about themselves as well as an in-depth interview to find out about any further education or training, employment in the past three years, home, and behaviour (that is, their relationships with others, any involvement or experience with violence and any use of alcohol and drugs). If they have a child, they are also asked some questions about their involvement with their child and their confidence as a parent.

GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE: The poor neighborhoods of Kingston, Jamaica

The data rounds from ages 7, 11, 17, and 22 are currently not being shared. In order to access these data rounds, users would need to make a justified request to the Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CAIHR) team at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. Requests can be sent to caihr@uwimona.edu.jm for Susan Chang-Lopez or Susan Walker.