How family communication and transport affect elderly women's preventive health check-ups in rural Tamil Nadu
Household Communication and Health Investments for Elderly Women in Tamil Nadu
This project tests whether telling both elders and their caretakers about free check-ups and offering free transport increases take-up among women aged 60–75 in rural Tamil Nadu.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 1200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chennai, Tamil Nadu) |
| Trial ID | NCT07279480 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The study first surveys elderly women and their caretakers to measure baseline demand for preventive health check-ups and how interest shifts when transportation support varies by the level of caretaker involvement required. It then runs a randomized, cross-randomized intervention where one factor is who is informed (elder only versus elder plus caretaker) and the other is whether free round-trip transport to a nearby private hospital is provided. Take-up of the free health check-up is the primary outcome, with additional measures of elders' willingness to mention the check-up to their caretaker. The work is implemented in rural Tamil Nadu with JPAL SA at IFMR as the local partner.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are women aged 60–75 living in rural Tamil Nadu who can hear, speak, and move without severe impairment and are willing to travel to a nearby private hospital for a free check-up.
Not a fit: People with severe hearing, speech, mental, or mobility impairments, those already regularly receiving preventive care, or those living far outside the study area are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the interventions could raise attendance at preventive check-ups, improving early detection and management of health problems among elderly women.
How similar studies have performed: Previous experiments in low- and middle-income countries have shown that transport subsidies and information nudges can increase clinic attendance, though cross-randomizing caregiver notification in elder care is less commonly tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Elderly women aged 60-75 Exclusion Criteria: * Those with severe hearing, speech, mental, or mobility impairment
Where this trial is running
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- JPAL SA at IFMR — Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jenny Wang
- Email: wangjm@mit.edu
- Phone: 617-253-3807
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.