The child support grant and adolescent risk of HIV infection in South Africa – Authors' reply

Abstract

We welcome the comments of Tanya Doherty and colleagues, in particular the excellent point that consideration should be given to raising cash transfer values to further alleviate poverty. Whether raising the value of cash transfers would increase the effects on adolescent HIV-risk behaviour is an empirical question, and deserves testing. Indeed, in a World Bank study in Tanzania, changes in sexual behaviour were noted with higher rates of cash transfer but not with lower rates. We also agree that cash transfers are not a so-called magic bullet, and accordingly suggested that they “might be most effective as part of a combination of prevention methods”.