Physical Sciences Division
Published March 6, 2026 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Digital support systems to improve child development in Peru: A cluster-randomized controlled open-label trial

Creators

  • 1. University of Basel
  • 2. Harvard University
  • 3. Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
  • 4. Afinidata
  • 5. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
  • 6. Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
  • 7. New York University
  • 8. University of Chicago

Description

Digital technologies have the potential to transform early childhood development (ECD) interventions by delivering personalized support at scale. We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial in rural Peru to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an artificial intelligence–supported digital parenting chatbot as well as traditional home visits as interventions to improve child development. Among 2461 caregiver-child dyads, both the digital and home-visiting interventions improved child development outcomes at 2.5 years of age, with standardized effect sizes of 0.11 and 0.17, respectively. At 1/15 of the cost of in-person support, the digital intervention yielded superior cost-effectiveness. These findings suggest that digital platforms can be a viable, scalable alternative to support children's development in resource-constrained settings.

Data availability

All data and code needed to evaluate and reproduce the results in the paper are present in the following Dryad repository: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.nzs7h4551. The protocol and analysis plan are available at www.researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e50371. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05202106. This study did not generate new materials.

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1126/sciadv.aeb9403
Other
oai:uchicago.tind.io:16844

Funding

University of Basel
Basel Research Centre for Child Health

UChicago Information

Division(s)
Physical Sciences Division
Department(s)
Computer Science