IS IT WELFARE IMPROVING TO INCREASE PREP COVERAGE AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN IN SINGAPORE?

Abstract

We run a discrete choice experiment on Grindr to explore factors that affect men who have sex with men’s (MSM) preference for consuming the HIV prevention drug, Pre-exposure Prophylaxes (PrEP). By applying a mixed-logit model, we find that MSM in Singapore are willing to pay S$28.6 per month for 1% HIV infection risk reduction. Substantial heterogeneity in willingness to pay is explained by individual education attainment. We develop a Susceptible-Undiagnosed-Detected (SUD) model to study HIV transmission dynamic among MSM in Singapore. Based on these estimates, we examine welfare implications of current PrEP coverage and proposed health policies in Singapore by conducting cost and benefit analysis.