When Knowledge Matters: Learning HIV Status, Sexual Behavior, and Relationship Dynamics

Dominik Jockers, Sarah Langlotz, Sebastian Vollmer, Frank Tanser and Till Bärnighausen

No 12729, CESifo Working Paper Series from CESifo

Abstract: We study how learning HIV status affects sexual behavior and new HIV infections in South Africa, a high-prevalence setting with universal treatment access. Using financial incentives randomly assigned in a cluster-randomized trial, we instrument HIV status learning and follow participants for up to five years. On average, testing does not change risk behavior, but effects vary by relationship status: among individuals not in relationships, testing increases condom use regardless of the test result; among those in relationships, only HIV-positive results increase abstinence. New HIV infection estimates are large but imprecise. Overall, relationship dynamics matter, and testing alone offers limited preventive benefits.

Keywords: HIV testing; sexual risk behavior; health information (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C26 D83 I12 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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