The Heterogeneous Effects of HIV Testing
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 non-experimental designs; use self-reported outcome measures, or both. Th...
Main Authors: | , , , |
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Format: | Policy Research Working Paper |
Language: | English en_US |
Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2014
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2014/03/19322060/heterogeneous-effects-hiv-testin http://hdl.handle.net/10986/17737 |
Summary: | 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 non-experimental designs; use
self-reported outcome measures, or both. This study
investigates the effects of a randomly assigned home based
HIV testing and counseling (HTC) intervention on risky
sexual behaviors and schooling investments among school-age
females in Malawi. The study finds no overall effects on
HIV, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-2), or achievement test
scores at follow-up. However, among the small group of
individuals who tested positive for HIV, a large increase in
the probability of contracting HSV-2 is found, with this
effect stronger among those surprised by their 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. The finding of increased HSV-2 prevalence among
HIV-positive individuals suggests that the conventional
wisdom that those who learn they are HIV-positive will adopt
safer sexual practices should be treated with caution. |
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