3.1 Data
The impact evaluation is based on the baseline and endline survey data collected by the PCI team. A two-arm (intervention and comparison groups) cluster randomized controlled design was used based on two rounds of representative quantitative cross-sectional surveys with adolescent girls (15–19 years). The baseline survey was conducted during November 2020 to January 2021 whereas the end of the project survey was carried out during January 2022. The sample size for the evaluation is derived based on the assumption of observing a 10-percentage point change in critical indicators between intervention and comparison arms after the intervention with 80% power and 95% confidence of interval. The basic sample size for each arm is calculated to be 385 which further adjusted for the cluster design approach. In particular, 24 clusters per arm is required based on the assumption of a between-cluster variation of 0.25 along with the intent to interview 48 respondents per cluster. Accordingly, a total sample of 2304 adolescent girls (1152 each in intervention and comparison group) for the baseline and endline survey is finalized.All the inhabited villages (128) under the two selected blocks of the district are included for randomization. However, villages with less than 100 households or with high school are removed before randomization for ensuring adequacy of eligible sample. A total of 12 villages from each Block are randomly assigned to the two arms (intervention and comparison). The sampling frame for adolescent girls was developed based on mapping and listing operations for identifying eligible in the selected villages. The exercise is repeated for endline survey. Further, from each village a sample of 48 adolescent girls is randomly selected for both baseline and endline surveys. The baseline sample comprised of 2327 adolescent girls (1122 and 1205 in comparison and intervention areas, respectively) and endline sample of 2033 adolescent girls (1040 and 993 in comparison and intervention areas, respectively). However, within the intervention area, 618 adolescent girls reported regular participation in TARA project activities and they constitute the final analytical sample for the intervention group.The survey was conducted by a team of trained field investigators (females) using structured interview schedules that was pre-tested in a different district of the state. The inclusion criteria is as follows: unmarried adolescent girls (15–19 years) who are usual residents of the village and are willing to participate in the survey. Parental consent (both verbal and written) was also sought before approaching the adolescent girls for the interview. The interview schedule collected information on socioeconomic background of the respondents along with information on the core domains related to empowerment, employment, gender equity and health and nutrition. However, the data does not include any information which could reveal the identity of the participant.