Global Development and Research Initiative

Project Background

Risk preferences influence health behaviors exposing people to illness/death; health research uses surveys for risk attitudes, economics/finance prefers incentivized tasks—but it's unclear which better predicts real-world high-stakes occupational risks.
Leveraging Bangladesh's commercial female sex workers (facing routine STI risks), this 2016 study (two waves: 1,332 in eight brothels across six districts; 1,185 Wave 2 re-interviews, ~11% attrition) compares survey vs. incentivized lottery measures via detailed sexual transactions, health behaviors, to identify top predictors of unprotected sex.

Roles of GDRI

Field Implementation and Community Engagement: Partnered with PIACT for two survey waves including sampling/tracking; recruited/trained/supervised enumerators for confidential/ethical collection on sexual behaviors, health, income, risk attitudes.
Data Collection and Experimental Implementation: Designed/implemented incentivized lottery game eliciting financial risk with real cash payoffs; gathered transaction-level data (prices/condoms/acts/clients), survey measures (overall/financial/health risk tolerance), subsample biological urine samples for STI testing to validate self-reports.
Data Management and Research Support: Contributed to cleaning/documentation of analysis files (risk measures, behaviors, unprotected sex outcomes); ensured Monash Human Research Ethics compliance; co-authored Social Science & Medicine publication; translated findings for policy/research, highlighting survey health-risk questions predict high-stakes work behaviors.

Our expertise lies in designing and implementing rigorous, large-scale empirical research—especially RCTs, mixed-methods studies, and impact evaluations—across education, gender, health, agriculture, crisis response, and climate adaptation in real-world Bangladeshi settings. We specialize in translating complex research questions into actionable study designs, ensuring methodological rigor while remaining sensitive to local contexts and constraints.

Our team has extensive experience in survey design, instrument development, and high-frequency data collection using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. We are proficient in managing large datasets, applying advanced econometric techniques, and ensuring data quality through robust monitoring and validation systems. From baseline to endline, we maintain strict adherence to ethical standards and research protocols.

We also excel in working closely with government agencies, NGOs, and local communities to co-design interventions and ensure policy relevance. Our work emphasizes generating evidence that is not only academically sound but also practically useful for decision-makers. We have a strong track record in producing policy briefs, academic papers, and dissemination materials tailored to diverse audiences.

In addition, we bring expertise in capacity building, training enumerators and field supervisors, and strengthening local research ecosystems. By combining technical excellence with deep contextual understanding, we aim to contribute meaningful insights that inform policy, improve program effectiveness, and drive sustainable development outcomes in Bangladesh.

Risk Choices and Health Risks for Sex Workers in Bangladesh

Project Background

Project Scope & Reach

Key research partners

Funding & Support

Roles of GDRI

Project Details

Related Projects

Interested in this work?

Our Expertise