Ranjeeta Thomas

(LSE)

will give a presentation on

Risk and social preferences predict risky sexual behaviour amongst youth in a high HIV-prevalence setting

Abstract:

Young people in sub-Saharan Africa are particularly at high risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Using data from incentivized economic experiments conducted amongst 1,568 persons aged 15-29 years in Zimbabwe, we document the association between key individual preferences - risk aversion, altruism, present-bias and future-bias - at baseline and laboratory confirmed Herpes Simplex Virus type-2 (HSV-2) status and number of sexual partners, measured 12 months later. We find preferences are predictive of HIV risk behaviours. Women measured to be more altruistic at baseline were more likely to be HSV-2 positive 12 months later. Men measured to be risk averse at baseline were less likely to be HSV-2 positive at follow-up. There is limited association of preferences with number of sexual partners. We also show that preferences make a prominent relative contribution to predicting HIV risk behaviours, compared to other observable factors. Results highlight gender differences in the influence of preferences on HIV risk behaviours and potential for future research to design targeted interventions based on preferences.