HIV Testing, Behavior Change, and the Transition to Adulthood in Malawi

B-Tier
Journal: Economic Development & Cultural Change
Year: 2015
Volume: 63
Issue: 4
Pages: 665 - 684

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

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 for well-being and directly affect a person's risk of contracting HIV. Using an experimental design embedded in a panel survey from Malawi, this study assesses how HIV voluntary counseling and testing of young adults affects these decisions. The results show a negligible intent-to-treat effect of HIV testing on behaviors. There is some suggestive evidence, however, of a differential response by wealth and by prior beliefs about one's HIV status.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:ecdecc:doi:10.1086/681232
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24