Audio computer-assisted self-interviewing in reproductive health research: reliability assessment among women in Harare, Zimbabwe.
OBJECTIVE
Research on the measurement of HIV risk demonstrates that interview mode can affect reporting; however, few studies have applied these findings to assessments of hormonal contraceptive use. This paper examines how audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) influenced reports of hormonal contraceptive use and pregnancy among Zimbabwean women.


METHODS
Using a prospective, randomized, cross-over design, we compared self-reports obtained with ACASI and face-to-face (FTF) interview among 655 women enrolled in a prospective study on hormonal contraceptive use and HIV acquisition. In addition, self-report data were compared to those collected during clinical exams.


RESULTS
Compared to FTF interviews, reports of hormonal contraceptive use were lower in ACASI [odds ratio (OR)=0.6; 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=0.5-0.6], and reports of pregnancy were higher (OR=1.5; 95% CI=1.1-1.9). Both modes of self-report differed from records on contraceptive method disbursement.


CONCLUSIONS
Although ACASI yielded higher reports of several reproductive health behaviors, discrepancies between self-reports and clinical data on method disbursement highlight persistent measurement challenges.
Minnis
Alexandra M
AM
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Women's Global Health Imperative and Center for Reproductive Health Research and Policy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA. aminnis@globalhealth.ucsf.edu
Muchini
Angella
A
Shiboski
Stephen
S
Mwale
Magda
M
Morrison
Charles
C
Chipato
Tsungai
T
Padian
Nancy S
NS
D000328:Adult; D003199:Computer Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012098:Reproduction; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D015030:Zimbabwe