title: The reliability of self-reported sexual behaviour.
abstract: The quality of data collected by surveys of sexual behaviour may be subject to sources of error involving reliability, validity, and non-participation bias. A preliminary study of sexual behaviour, including perception of risk for HIV infection, knowledge of HIV transmission and attitudes towards AIDS, was conducted in a genitourinary medicine clinic. The sample comprised 767 patients attending clinic over a 3-month period; comparisons were made between different methods of data collection (questionnaires and interviews) and between responders and non-responders. High levels of agreement were found between questionnaire and interview. Some sexual behaviours were more frequently reported at interview. No significant differences were found between responders and non-responders to either questionnaire or interview.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Nottingham Medical School, UK.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Bignell
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gillies
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom