Audio-computerized self-interviewing versus face-to-face interviewing for research data collection at drug abuse treatment programs.
OBJECTIVE
To assess audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (A-CASI) as a mode of data collection with injecting drug users (IDUs) entering two drug treatment programs in New York City. A-CASI has been found to increase reporting of sensitive items among a variety of population subgroups.


METHODS
A field test of A-CASI data collection conducted within an ongoing cross-sectional study of drug use and HIV risk behaviors among IDUs entering drug treatment. Participants were assigned without bias to either a computer-assisted interviewer-administered personal interview (CAPI) or to a mixed CAPI/A-CASI interview. In the latter, 'sensitive' portions (dealing with stigmatized behavior) of the questionnaire were self-administered through A-CASI, while the remaining portions were interviewer-administered.


METHODS
The Detoxification Program and the Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program (MMTP) at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.


METHODS
Seven hundred and eighty-three IDUs entering drug treatment.


METHODS
Odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios (controlling for demographic differences) for comparison of A-CASI versus CAPI responses on 111 sensitive questions.


RESULTS
Twenty-three statistically significant differences (each at P < 0.05), all in the direction of more reporting of the behaviors by the A-CASI group. Forty-one per cent of A-CASI participants said they would prefer any subsequent interviews to be fully A-CASI and 46% said they would prefer the mixed CAPI/A-CASI mode.


CONCLUSIONS
A-CASI was associated with greater reporting of potentially stigmatized drug, sex and HIV risk behaviors on a moderate number of questions. Moreover, a large majority of participants who used A-CASI would like to be assigned to this method of data collection in future interviews.
Perlis
Theresa E
TE
National Development and Research Institutes, Inc, New York, NY 10003, USA. tperlis@chpnet.org
Des Jarlais
Don C
DC
Friedman
Samuel R
SR
Arasteh
Kamyar
K
Turner
Charles F
CF
D000328:Adult; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009519:New York City; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*