HIV testing, behavior change, and the transition to adulthood in Malawi

Type Journal Article - Economic Development and Cultural Change
Title HIV testing, behavior change, and the transition to adulthood in Malawi
Author(s)
Volume 63
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
Page numbers 665-684
URL http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/913171468269669930/pdf/WPS6825.pdf
Abstract
For young adults living in countries with AIDS
epidemics, getting an HIV test may influence near-term
decisions, such as when to leave school, when to marry,
and when to have a first child. These behaviors, which
define the transition from adolescence to adulthood, have
long-term implications on well-being and directly affect
a person’s risk of contracting HIV. Using an experimentaldesign embedded in a panel survey from Malawi, this
study assesses the impact of voluntary counseling and
testing of young adults for HIV on these decisions. The
results show negligible intent-to-treat effect of HIV
testing on behaviors. There is some suggestive evidence
on differential response by wealth and by prior beliefs
about one’s status.

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