Many vaginal microbicide trial participants acknowledged they had misreported sensitive sexual behavior in face-to-face interviews.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether participants in a phase II randomized clinical trial of a candidate vaginal microbicide ever intentionally misled interviewers.


METHODS
We used audio computer-assisted self-interviews (ACASI) to ask the South African women (n=132) participating in the trial about the accuracy of self-reported data collected during face-to-face interviews. The trial protocol recommended that women use their assigned gel (active microbicide or placebo) with condoms during each vaginal sex act.


RESULTS
Nearly four-fifths of participants (n=104, 79%) reported that they had misinformed trial interviewers at least once. Motivations included politeness (n=45, 34% of ACASI participants) to avoid criticism or seek praise (n=32, 24%), and embarrassment (n=24, 18%). Participants acknowledged misreporting eligibility characteristics to enroll (11%) and, during follow-up, exaggerating their enthusiasm for the study gel (13%), applicator (13%), and the effect of the gel on sexual pleasure (13%). In general, women who were untruthful had actually used the gel with condoms less and used the gel alone more than they had reported during the trial. Women overwhelmingly found the computer survey easy.


CONCLUSIONS
Researchers cannot assume that participants always tell the truth about sensitive behaviors in face-to-face interviews. ACASI was efficient and acceptable in this population.
Turner
Abigail Norris
AN
Population Council, Mexico City, Mexico and Johannesburg, South Africa. ant@unc.edu
De Kock
Alana E
AE
Meehan-Ritter
Amy
A
Blanchard
Kelly
K
Sebola
Mohlatlego H
MH
Hoosen
Anwar A
AA
Coetzee
Nicol
N
Ellertson
Charlotte
C
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003201:Computers; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; D055815:Young Adult
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; D002351:Carrageenan