An Equilibrium Model of the African HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Twelve percent of the Malawian population is HIV infected. Eighteen percent of sexual encounters are casual. A condom is used a third of the time. To analyze the Malawian epidemic, a choice-theoretic general equilibrium search model is constructed. In the developed framework, people select between d...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Greenwood, J. (Author), Kircher, P. (Author), Santos, C. (Author), Tertilt, M. (Author)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2019
Subjects:
ART
Online Access:View Fulltext in Publisher
Description
Summary:Twelve percent of the Malawian population is HIV infected. Eighteen percent of sexual encounters are casual. A condom is used a third of the time. To analyze the Malawian epidemic, a choice-theoretic general equilibrium search model is constructed. In the developed framework, people select between different sexual practices while knowing the inherent risk. The calibrated model is used to study several policy interventions, namely, ART, circumcision, better condoms, and the treatment of other STDs. The efficacy of public policy depends upon the induced behavioral changes and equilibrium effects. The framework complements the insights from epidemiological studies and small-scale field experiments. © 2019 The Econometric Society
ISBN:00129682 (ISSN)
DOI:10.3982/ECTA11530