Reproducibility and validity of self-reported condom use in Jakarta.
Condom use has been a major focus in STI/AIDS-related behavioral studies. However, since researchers rely mainly on self-reports obtained by self- or interviewer-administered questionnaires, validation studies are necessary to evaluate the quality of the information. A behavioral survey was conducted among female sex workers (FSWs) in an official brothel complex in Jakarta, Indonesia. At baseline, an interviewer-administered questionnaire was completed to identify the personal, professional, and contextual determinants of the women's STI/AIDS-related behaviors, including their condom use, was assessed via interviews two weeks apart among a subset of the samples. Relative validity was estimated by comparing condom use at baseline with a 2-week diary filled out by another subset of the samples. Overall, the FSW's self-reported condom use showed moderate reproducibility and relative validity. The brevity of the recall period, the highly inconsistent condom use practices of the sexworkers, and self-representation bias were among factors that might have attenuated estimated coefficients.
Sedyaningsih-Mamahit
Endang
E
National Institute of Health Research and Development, Jakarta, Indonesia. esedyani@indo.net.id
Gortmaker
Steven
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population