Master's Project Title:

Gender as a Factor in Willingness and Ability to Pay for HIV-Related Services in Resource-Limited Countries: A Systematic Literature Review

MCH Student:

Jessica Vig

Date of Defense:

August 21, 2012

Abstract:

Tanzania currently has universal free access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the country’s estimated 1.4 million HIV-infected individuals. However, it is unclear how sustainable this treatment program and its ancillary costs will be in the future without additional modes for financial support. One proposed mechanism for sustainability is through partial or full patient payment; however there is concern about whether conditions on payment would hinder seeking care, particularly among women. This literature review examines whether gender is associated with the ability and willingness to pay for HIV-related services, including ART, voluntary counseling and testing (VCT),and monitoring tests among HIV positive people in Tanzania and other resource-limited settings. Although it differs by individual resources, there is limited evidence to suggest that men have a greater willingness and ability to pay for HIV-related services. Female ownership of assets positively influences WTP, reinforcing that WTP is highly sensitive to the income and wealth of individuals, particularly women. Future studies are needed to further inform this topic with disaggregated data by gender.