Data from 27 randomised controlled trials included in this systematic review was independently
extracted by two review authors and entered into a <a>pre-piloted data extraction </a>form. If information was missing, study authors were
contacted with up to four follow-up Emails.We calculated standardised effect sizes for intermediate
outcomes and distal outcomes. Standardised effect sizes are scale-free and
provide comparable information about the magnitude and direction of each effect
and can thus be aggregated across studies. For continuous outcome measures,
standardised mean differences (SMDs) were calculated. To adjust for potential
bias from small sample sizes, we used Hedges’ g correction for all effect
sizes. For outcomes that were measured on a continuous scale in some studies
and dichotomised in other studies (e.g. increases in saving amounts), we
transformed odds ratios into SMDs and used Hedges’ g correction as described
above. <i>Intermediate
outcomes </i>included (a) increases in total savings, (b) financial literacy,
and (c) savings attitudes, (d) investments in profitable business. It is
crucial to account for potential crowd-out effects that can arise from the shifting
of resources to the saving device endorsed by the interventions. We have
therefore made efforts to focus on <i>total </i>household<i> </i>savings and otherwise sought to aggregate
all information on savings held in different places to reach an average effect.
<i>Distal outcomes</i> included (a) business
profits, (b) food security, (c) investments in and status of health, (d)
investments in education and educational attainment, and (e) household poverty
measured through assets or expenditure/income. <div><div><div>
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