Is Sex Like Driving? Risk Compensation Associated with Male Circumcision in Kisumu, Kenya

36 Pages Posted: 10 Jan 2012

See all articles by Nicholas L. Wilson

Nicholas L. Wilson

Williams College - Department of Economics

Wentao Xiong

Harvard University

Christine Mattson

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: August 1, 2011

Abstract

Mass adult male circumcision campaigns for HIV prevention are underway across much of Sub-Saharan Africa. However, concern remains about risk compensation associated with the reduction in the probability of HIV transmission per risky act. This paper examines the behavioral response to male circumcision in Kisumu, Kenya. 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 reduces fatalism about acquiring HIV/AIDS and increases the salience of the tradeoff between engaging in additional risky behavior and avoiding acquiring HIV. We also find what appears to be a competing eff ect that does not operate through the circumcision recipient's belief about the reduction in the risk of acquiring HIV.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, male circumcision, risk compensation, beliefs, Kenya

JEL Classification: D81, D84, I18

Suggested Citation

Wilson, Nicholas L. and Xiong, Wentao and Mattson, Christine, Is Sex Like Driving? Risk Compensation Associated with Male Circumcision in Kisumu, Kenya (August 1, 2011). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1982067 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1982067

Nicholas L. Wilson (Contact Author)

Williams College - Department of Economics ( email )

Fernald House
Williamstown, MA 01267
United States

Wentao Xiong

Harvard University

Christine Mattson

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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