Date
2009
Indexation documentaire
Economie sociale
Subject
HIV/AIDS epidemic; geography; spatial inequalities; infrastructure; risk taking; Sub-Saharan Africa
Code JEL
I10; O12; O18; R23; C21
Titre du colloque
26èmes Journées de Microéconomie appliquée
Ville du colloque
Dijon
Pays du colloque
FRANCE
Type
Communication / Conférence
Résumé en anglais
Given the low condom use and high prevalence in some African countries, this paperaddresses the question of whether these evidences are driven by a supply-side or a demandside issue. The role of road infrastructures on HIV/AIDS outcomes is investigated using datafrom the Demographic and Health Surveys in six African countries. Empirical ndings suggest that road infrastructures increase the quality of the knowledge about HIV transmission andthe availability of condoms, and hence reduce the cost of self-protection. Even if individuals are provided the materials required to change their sexual behaviors and their HIV risk takingbehaviors, we found that they do not necessarily decide to use all the materials available.Some protective measures are preferred to others. HIV-testing is facilitated in cities crossed by a major transportation road. People are found more likely to use condom use when livingin accessible areas while they are also more likely to handle risky behaviors by have sex with casual partner without condom. The likelihood of HIV-infection remains high even forindividuals who have no supply de ciency since they are willing to extent the size of their sexual network.