Comparisons of reported sexual behaviors from a retrospective survey versus a prospective diary in the Botswana Defence Force.
This study compares self-reported sexual behaviors from a retrospective survey and a prospective diary among Botswana Defence Force (BDF) personnel. One hundred sixty-one male participants, aged 18-30, completed two weekly prospective diaries and a retrospective survey querying them about behaviors reported during the same time frame as the diaries. Most reported behaviors were similar between the two data collection methods. However, there was low agreement for reporting sex with a spouse and exchanging material goods for sex with a casual partner; frequency of sex and condom use rates (CURs) among married participants also differed. When comparing survey condom use frequencies to diary CURs, the level of agreement diminished from the always to occasionally condom use categories. Inconsistencies in reporting may be due to the frequency of the sexual behavior, question sensitivity, the data collection setting, and the interpretation of response categories. Further research is needed to improve accurate reporting of sexual behaviors.
Bonnie Robin
BR
Tran
Anne Goldzier
AG
Thomas
Florin
F
Vaida
Mooketsi
M
Ditsela
Robert
R
Phetogo
David
D
Kelapile
Christina
C
Chambers
Richard
R
Haubrich
Richard
R
Shaffer
D000328:Adult; D001902:Botswana; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014342:Truth Disclosure