Timothy L. McAuliffe|Wayne DiFranceisco|Barbara R. Reed
Low Numeracy Predicts Reduced Accuracy of Retrospective Reports of Frequency of Sexual Behavior
Medical College of Wisconsin|Medical College of Wisconsin|Medical College of Wisconsin
assessment frequency sexual behavior relies participants ability arithmetically aggregate information time across partners study examines effect numeracy arithmetic skills accuracy retrospective reports sexual behavior 91 days participants completed daily reports sexual activity participants completed survey sexual behavior period discrepancies surveybased diarybased measures frequency vaginal anal intercourse evaluated multiple regression analysis showed discrepancy retrospective diary measurements sexual intercourse increased lower numeracy p 0026 lower education p 0001 aggregate question format compared partnerbypartner format p 0031 higher frequency intercourse occasions p 0001 lower numeracy led 15fold increase adjusted mean 141209 discrepancy using aggregate question format 20fold increase adjusted mean 3776 using partnerbypartner format