Patricia Kissinger|Janet C. Rice|Timothy M.M. Farley|Steven A. Trim|K. Jewitt|V. Margavio|David H. Martin
Application of Computer-assisted Interviews to Sexual Behavior Research
Louisiana State University|Tulane University|Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health|Louisiana State University|Louisiana State University|Louisiana State University|Louisiana State University
collection sensitive data use videoenhanced computerassisted selfadministered interviews vcasi potential reduce interview bias improve validity study purpose study compare responses sensitive questions elicited vcasi facetoface interview ftfi methods women attending new orleans louisiana public family planning sexually transmitted disease clinic july 1995 july 1996 diagnosed chlamydia trachomatis infection responded eight closeended behavioral questions four socially undesirable two socially desirable two neutral behaviors using ftfi vcasi techniques randomized crossover design 280 women included mean age 23 years 95 percent african american 71 percent felt comfortable using computers kappa scores indicated goodtoexcellent agreement interview techniques women tended admit socially undesirable behaviors often vcasi compared ftfi thirty percent women gave discrepant response vcasi ftfi toward social desirability women reported socially undesirable behavior vcasi ie two sex partners infrequent condom usage likely discrepant response utilization logistic regression model predict condom use yielded different results data vcasi used compared data ftfi vcasi technique reduce social desirability bias improve validity research requiring information sensitive sexual behaviorsbias needs minimized conducting surveybased research order produce valid results reporting biases likely occur sensitive behaviors investigated research suggests computerassisted selfadministered interviews casis may produce valid reports sensitive behaviors traditional survey techniques facetoface interviews ftfis findings reported study conducted compare responses sensitive questions administered videoenhanced casis vcasis ftfis 280 women mean age 23 years attending new orleans louisiana public family planning std clinic july 1995 july 1996 diagnosed chlamydia trachomatis infection responded 8 closeended sexual behavioral questions using survey techniques randomized crossover design 95 women black 71 felt ease using computers although kappa scores indicated goodtoexcellent agreement interview techniques women tended admit socially undesirable behaviors often upon vcasis upon ftfis 30 women gave discrepant response vcasi ftfi toward social desirability women reported socially undesirable behavior vcasis likely discrepant response use logistic regression model predict condom use yielded different results data vcasis used compared data ftfis findings suggest vcasi technique reduce social desirability bias improve validity research requiring data sensitive sexual behaviors