Effect of computer-assisted interviewing on self-reported sexual behavior data in a microbicide clinical trial

AIDS Behav. 2013 Feb;17(2):790-800. doi: 10.1007/s10461-012-0302-2.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / therapeutic use*
  • Attitude to Computers
  • Computer Terminals / statistics & numerical data*
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic / methods
  • Malawi / epidemiology
  • Medication Adherence
  • Middle Aged
  • Program Evaluation
  • Self Report
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • User-Computer Interface
  • Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / therapeutic use*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies