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Love in the time of HIV: How beliefs about externalities impact health behavior

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  • Derksen, Laura
  • Muula, Adamson
  • van Oosterhout, Joep

Abstract

Despite the widespread availability of lifesaving antiretroviral drugs, demand for HIV testing is low. Antiretrovirals have a positive externality: they prevent HIV transmission. We use an experiment in Malawi to show that informing communities about this externality can shift beliefs and increase HIV testing in the short term, with a larger effect for sexually-active demographics. We also see a change in attitudes toward sexual partners taking antiretrovirals. Learning about a positive externality can increase demand for healthcare.

Suggested Citation

  • Derksen, Laura & Muula, Adamson & van Oosterhout, Joep, 2022. "Love in the time of HIV: How beliefs about externalities impact health behavior," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:159:y:2022:i:c:s0304387822001353
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2022.102993
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    Cited by:

    1. Laura Derksen & Jason T Kerwin & Natalia Ordaz Reynoso & Olivier Sterck, 2025. "Healthcare Appointments as Commitment Devices," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 135(665), pages 81-118.
    2. Gabriella Conti & Michele Giannola & Alessandro Toppeta, 2024. "Parental beliefs, perceived health risks, and time investment in children," IFS Working Papers W24/15, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    3. Yu, Hang, 2023. "Social stigma as a barrier to HIV testing: Evidence from a randomized experiment in Mozambique," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health behavior; Externalities; Information; Experiment; HIV testing; Stigma;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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