Conditional Cash Transfer Program Effects on Anthropometric Index from Children in Latin America: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: To compare the Brazilian conditional cash transfer program, the “Bolsa Família” with the similar programs found in Latin America regarding its effects in the children’s growth and development. Methods: The systematic review contemplated the Scopus, Embase, Pubmed, Scielo and Lilacs data bases. The inclusion criteria were epidemiological quantitative, observational, descriptive and analytical studies that had as target public children contemplated by the income transfer program with health conditionalities in Latin America. Narrative reviews related to the research theme were excluded as well as systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis related to the research theme. Results: The titles and abridgements review from 1007 articles resulted in the selection of 17 complete studies. After the quality analysis of these, as well as the application of the inclusion criteria, 10 articles were included in this review. Among the types of epidemiologic studies selected to compose this systematic review, 3 are cohort analytical studies. Conclusion: Studies carried out in Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador and Nicaragua were selected and indicated the positive effects that the conditional income transfer brought to the anthropometric index from beneficiary children in the researched countries.