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Financial education represents a powerful tool for improving economic literacy of citizens. This paper presents results from an experiment providing a group of 136 workers in an Italian university (administrative staff) an online, synchronous course. Classes were organized in 5 sessions of 2h each and covered basic topics about personal finance. The effectiveness of the course is assessed through a rigorous randomized controlled trial (RCT). In addition to the analysis of improvements in financial knowledge, financial self‐efficacy and the role of prior attitudes and behaviors were explored. Participants obtained post‐test scores statistically higher than individuals in the control group, with an average effect size of 0.55 SD. The effect is particularly relevant for participants starting with low levels of financial knowledge. Moreover, two novel findings emerge: financial self‐efficacy increases (0.51 SD) after the course, and pre‐treatment individuals' financial attitudes and behaviors shed further light on the financial learning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important cause of stunting is limited consumption of complementary foods, in terms of both quantities and nutrients. Although existing studies show a positive association between fathers' engagement and children's diet, programmes designed to improve complementary feeding practices often only target mothers. In response to this, maternal behaviour change communication (BCC), paternal BCC and food voucher programmes were designed and implemented in Ethiopia using a clustered randomized controlled trial design. The paternal BCC programme included gender‐equal messages to increase fathers' participation in childcare, household labour and decision making. The research reported in this paper is an examination of the BCC programmes, characterizing the behavioural, normative and control beliefs of both mothers and fathers in BCC households compared to those in control households. In this study, a total of 40 participants were included, with 13 mother–father pairs in the BCC + food voucher group, and seven pairs in the control group. Each participant was interviewed separately. We found that BCC mothers showed more gender‐equal tendencies than the control mothers despite being more rural in location. By contrast, the beliefs of BCC and control fathers were similar overall, suggesting men are more resistant to gender‐equal BCC. More work is needed to develop and test effective methods for changing fathers' beliefs and practices. Key messages: Mothers in behaviour change communication (BCC) group mothers held more gender‐equal beliefs than control mothers, while BCC and control fathers shared similar views, suggesting a male resistance to gender equality.Mothers found fathers' involvement in childcare socially acceptable but often perceived them as inexperienced, which limited their participation.Control mothers' traditional view on household chores maintained the conventional labour division, influencing fathers' involvement.Fathers typically resisted maternal control of resources; however, they agreed that the more knowledgeable should lead decision‐making. BCC mothers showed greater confidence in making household decisions as effectively as fathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare the effect of iMOVE (Intensive Mobility training with Variability and Error) therapy with dose‐matched conventional therapy on gross motor development and secondary outcomes in young children with cerebral palsy. Method: This single‐blind, randomized controlled trial included repeated assessments of gross motor function (using the Gross Motor Function Measure) and secondary outcomes during a 12‐ to 24‐week intervention phase and at three follow‐up points after treatment. Treatment was delivered three times per week in both groups. Forty‐two children aged 12 to 36 months were stratified by age and motor function to ensure equivalence between groups at baseline. Results: Thirty‐six children completed treatment and follow‐up phases. Treatment fidelity was high and adherence was equivalent between groups (77.3% conventional therapy, 76.2% iMOVE). There were no group differences on the primary (gross motor function after 12 weeks p = 0.18; after 24 weeks p = 0.94) or any secondary (postural control p = 0.88, caregiver satisfaction p = 0.52, child engagement p = 0.98) measure after treatment or at the follow‐up points. However, one‐third of total participants exceeded predicted change after 12 weeks and 77% exceeded predicted change after 24 weeks of treatment. Interpretation: Our observations indicate a potential dose–response effect of rehabilitation therapy. We further demonstrated that individual therapeutic ingredients can be manipulated. When delivered consistently, both iMOVE and conventional therapy interventions might both be more effective than standard care. What this paper adds: Those receiving iMOVE therapy demonstrated more independent practice time, error, and child‐initiation than those receiving the dose‐matched control.iMOVE therapy was not superior to the control (conventional physical) therapy.Most participants exceeded predicted change after 24 weeks of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]