Mobile phones and HIV testing: Multi-country evidence from sub-Saharan Africa
Francesco Iacoella & Nyasha Tirivayi
#2021-010
This study investigates the role of mobile phone connectivity on HIV
testing in sub-Saharan Africa. We make use of the novel and
comprehensive OpencellID cell tower database, and DHS geocoded
information for over 400,000 women in 28 Sub-Saharan African countries.
We examine whether women's community distance from the closest
cell-tower influences knowledge about HIV testing facilities and the
likelihood of ever been tested for HIV. After finding a negative and
significant impact of distance on our main outcomes, we investigate the
mechanisms through which such effects might occur. Our analysis shows
that proximity to a cell tower increases HIV-related knowledge as well
as reproductive health knowledge. Similar results are observed when the
analysis is performed at community level. Results suggest that the
effect of mobile phone connectivity is channelled through increased
knowledge of HIV, STIs, and modern contraceptive methods. Further
analysis shows that cell phone ownership has an even larger impact on
HIV testing and knowledge. This paper adds to recent literature on the
impact of mobile-based HIV prevention schemes by showing through
large-scale analysis that better mobile network access is a powerful
tool to spread reproductive health knowledge and increase HIV awareness.
Keywords: Mobile technology, public health, HIV, reproductive health
JEL Classification: D83, I15, I18, O33