Reliability of sexual histories in heterosexual couples.
OBJECTIVE
Reliability of responses between partners was used as a surrogate to examine the validity of self-reported sexual histories in two samples with different risk and demographic profiles and different intensities of contact with study staff.


METHODS
Retrospective self-report data were compared between partners and between samples.


RESULTS
Despite differences between the two groups, reliability of the sexual history data was comparable.


CONCLUSIONS
Further study is needed to examine other methodologies for collecting sensitive data. Intensive contact and rapport building may not be necessary.
Padian
N S
NS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Aral
S
S
Vranizan
K
K
Bolan
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014342:Truth Disclosure