Is sex like driving? HIV prevention and risk compensation

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Wilson, Nicholas L.; Xiong, Wentao; Mattson, Christine L.
• 署名单位: Reed College - Portland; Harvard University; University of Illinois System; University of Illinois Chicago; University of Illinois Chicago Hospital
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2013.08.012
• 发表日期: 2014
• 页码: 78-91
• 关键词: beliefs; hiv/aids; kenya; male circumcision; Risk compensation

摘要

Risk compensation has been called the Achilles' heel of HIV prevention policies (Cassell et al., 2006). This paper examines the behavioral response to male circumcision, a major HIV prevention policy currently being implemented throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa. Contrary to the presumption of risk compensation, we find that the response due to the perceived reduction in HIV transmission appears to have been a reduction in risky sexual behavior. We suggest a mechanism for this finding: circumcision may reduce fatalism about acquiring HIV/AIDS and increase the salience of the tradeoff between engaging in additional risky behavior and avoiding acquiring HIV. We also find what appears to be a competing effect that does not operate through the circumcision recipient's belief about the reduction in the risk of acquiring HIV. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.