Effect of computer-assisted interviewing on self-reported sexual behavior data in a microbicide clinical trial.
In a microbicide safety and effectiveness trial (HPTN 035) in Malawi, 585 women completed the same questionnaire through a face-to-face interview (FTFI) and an audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI). Concordance between FTFI and ACASI responses ranged from 72.0 % for frequency of sex in the past week to 95.2 % for anal intercourse (AI) in the past 3 months. Reported gel and condom use at last sex act were marginally lower with ACASI than FTFI (73.5 % vs. 77.2 %, p = 0.11 and 60.9 % vs. 65.5 %, p = 0.05, respectively). More women reported AI with ACASI than FTFI (5.0 % vs. 0.2 %, p < 0.001). Analyses of consistency of responses within ACASI revealed that 15.0 % of participants in the condom-only arm and 28.7 % in the gel arm provided at least one discrepant answer regarding total sex acts and sex acts where condom and gel were used (19.2 % reported one inconsistent answer, 8.1 % reported two inconsistent answers, and 1.4 % reported three inconsistent answers). While ACASI may provide more accurate assessments of sensitive behaviors in HIV prevention trials, it also results in a high level of internally inconsistent responses.
Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095-1772, USA. pgorbach@ucla.edu
Pamina M
PM
Gorbach
Barbara S
BS
Mensch
Marla
M
Husnik
Astou
A
Coly
Benoit
B
Mâsse
Bonus
B
Makanani
Chiwawa
C
Nkhoma
Lameck
L
Chinula
Tchangani
T
Tembo
Stan
S
Mierzwa
Kimberly
K
Reynolds
Stacey
S
Hurst
Anne
A
Coletti
Andrew
A
Forsyth
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D016288:Computer Terminals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies