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. 2014 Jan:106:78-91.
doi: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2013.08.012. Epub 2013 Sep 9.

Is Sex Like Driving? HIV Prevention and Risk Compensation

Nicholas L Wilson  1 , Wentao Xiong  2 , Christine L Mattson  3
Affiliations

Is Sex Like Driving? HIV Prevention and Risk Compensation

Nicholas L Wilson et al. J Dev Econ. 2014 Jan.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; Kenya; beliefs; male circumcision; risk compensation.

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