The Heterogeneous Effects of HIV Testing

Sarah Baird, Erick Gong (), Craig McIntosh () and Berk Özler
Additional contact information
Craig McIntosh: School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, UC San Diego

No 1310, Working Papers from University of Otago, Department of Economics

Abstract: An extensive multi-disciplinary literature examines the effects of learning one’s HIV status on subsequent risky sexual behaviors. However, many of these studies rely on nonexperimental designs; use self-reported outcome measures, or both. In this study, we investigate the effects of a randomly assigned Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) intervention on risky sexual behaviors and schooling investments among school-age females in Malawi. We find no overall effects on HIV, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-2), or test scores at follow-up. However, receiving a HIV-positive test result causes a large increase in the probability of contracting HSV-2, with stronger effects among those surprised by the HIV-positive test results. Similarly, those surprised by HIV-negative test results see a significant improvement in achievement test scores, consistent with increased returns to investments in human capital. We view the finding on increased HSV-2 prevalence among HIV-positive individuals as a caution to the conventional wisdom that those who learn they are HIV-positive will adopt safer sexual practices.

Pages: 33 pages
Date: 2013-07, Revised 2013-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Related works:
Journal Article: The heterogeneous effects of HIV testing (2014)
Working Paper: The heterogeneous effects of HIV testing (2014)
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