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On the association between HIV knowledge and unsafe sexual behaviour in India

Smriti Agarwal (Ford Motor Company, Brentwood, UK)
Pedro de Araujo (Department of Economics and Business, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA)

International Journal of Development Issues

ISSN: 1446-8956

Article publication date: 14 September 2012

198

Abstract

Purpose

HIV prevention campaigns have focused on condom distribution and the dissemination of HIV‐related knowledge, with the goal to reduce risky sexual behavior. However, very little empirical work has been done to reveal any possible association between HIV‐related knowledge and risky sexual behavior. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to estimate such associations, using demographic health survey data for India.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimate multiple binary response models and calculate average partial effects of every treatment (HIV‐related knowledge) on the outcome variable (risky sexual behavior) controlling for socioeconomic characteristics, location of residence, and state specific effects.

Findings

Using data from the third wave of the national demographic survey, it is found that better HIV‐related knowledge does not always promote safer sexual practices. While, better HIV knowledge increases the likelihood of condom use, it also increases the likelihood of pre‐marital sex, and reduces the likelihood of abstinence. These effects are much stronger for males when compared to females. These results also suggest, albeit indirectly, that informational and condom distribution campaigns are not necessarily promoting safer sexual practices in India.

Research limitations/implications

One possible limitation of this study is the possibility of endogeneity bias due to omitted variables or reverse causality. The authors follow the literature in the use of controls and interpreted results with caution.

Originality/value

The paper is believed to be the first to derive empirical results relating HIV knowledge and risky sexual behaviour, using a population‐based survey for India.

Keywords

Citation

Agarwal, S. and de Araujo, P. (2012), "On the association between HIV knowledge and unsafe sexual behaviour in India", International Journal of Development Issues, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 227-234. https://doi.org/10.1108/14468951211262260

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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