Work

Impact of legislation for infectious disease control: evidence from HIV testing in Mali

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific laws criminalizing HIV non-disclosure, exposure, and transmission on voluntary testing, focusing on the role of HIV stigma. HIV criminalization signals state endorsement of discrimination against HIV-positive individuals, thereby amplifying stigma. I use a regression discontinuity design that exploits the enactment timing of legislation in Mali during a household survey offering voluntary HIV testing, where family members could infer who was tested and speculate that those tested were HIV-positive. Following the legislation, women’s testing uptake declined, especially in rural areas, with stronger effects among those with radios and without completed formal education. Women, being economically dependent on men, are vulnerable to HIV-related mistreatment from family members. Therefore, fear of being considered seropositive by family members might have more strongly discouraged women’s testing uptake compared with men’s.

Source: Journal of Demographic Economics

DOI: 10.1017/dem.2026.10019

Author: Yuya Kudo

Institution: Japan External Trade Organization

Language: English

Topic: HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550