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Do Teenagers Respond to HIV Risk Information? Evidence from a Field Experiment in Kenya

Year: 2011

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: We use a randomized experiment to test whether and what information changes teenagers' sexual behavior in Kenya. Providing information on the relative risk of HIV infection by partner's age led to a 28 percent decrease in teen pregnancy, an objective proxy for the incidence of unprotected sex. Self-reported sexual behavior data suggests substitution away from older (riskier) partners and toward same-age partners. In contrast, the official abstinence-only HIV curriculum had no impact on teen pregnancy. These results suggest that teenagers are responsive to risk information, but their sexual behavior is more elastic on the intensive than on the extensive margin. (JEL D83, I12, J13, O12)

Source: American Economic Journal Applied Economics

DOI: 10.1257/app.3.1.1

Author: Pascaline Dupas

Institution: University of California, Los Angeles

Language: English

Topic: Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2117694682