title: Using computer-assisted survey instruments instead of paper and pencil increased completeness of self-administered sexual behavior questionnaires.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the data quality, logistics, and cost of a self-administered sexual behavior questionnaire administered either using a computer-assisted survey instrument (CASI) or by paper and pencil in a primary care clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered sexual behavior questionnaire was administered to 16-29 year olds attending general practice. Questionnaires were administered by either paper and pencil (paper) or CASI. A personal digital assistant was used to self-administer the CASI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 4,491 people completed the questionnaire, with 46.9% responses via CASI and 53.2% by paper. Completion of questions was greater for CASI than for paper for sexual behavior questions: number of sexual partners [odds ratio (OR), 6.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.32, 14.11] and ever having had sex with a person of the same gender (OR, 2.89; 95% CI: 1.52, 5.49). The median number of questions answered was higher for CASI than for paper (17.6 vs. 17.2; P < 0.01). CASI was cheaper to run at $8.18 per questionnaire compared with $11.83 for paper.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electronic devices using CASI are a tool that can increase participants' questionnaire responses and deliver more complete data for a sexual behavior questionnaire in primary care clinics.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St, Melbourne 3010, Australia. Electronic address: simone.yael@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spark
authors.affiliation: Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St, Melbourne 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Dyani
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St, Melbourne 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Alaina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaisey
authors.affiliation: Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St, Melbourne 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Eris
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.affiliation: Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St, Melbourne 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 200 Berkeley Street Melbourne 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Temple-Smith
authors.affiliation: The Kirby Institute, UNSW Medicine, The University of NSW, Botany St, Kensington, Sydney 2033, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lorch
authors.affiliation: The Kirby Institute, UNSW Medicine, The University of NSW, Botany St, Kensington, Sydney 2033, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guy
authors.affiliation: Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St, Melbourne 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hocking
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D003625:Data Collection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CASI; Chlamydia; Electronic devices; Paper and pencil questionnaire; Sexual health behavior questionnaires; Survey design