Document Type
Article - post-print
Publication Date
2016
Abstract
Researchers often rely on self-report measures to assess sensitive health-risk behaviors in HIV+ individuals, yet the accuracy of self-report has been questioned, particularly when inquiring about behaviors that may be embarrassing, risky, and/or taboo. We compared an anonymous reporting method—the Unmatched Count Technique (UCT)—to direct self-report in order to assess reporting differences for several health-risk behaviors related to medication adherence and sexual risk. Contrary to hypotheses, the UCT only produced a significantly higher estimated base rate for one sensitive behavior: reporting medication adherence to one's physician, which may have been contextually-primed by our study design. Our results suggest that anonymous reporting methods may not increase disclosure compared to direct self-report when assessing several health-risk behaviors in HIV+ research volunteers. However, our results also suggest that contextual factors should be considered and investigated further, as they may influence perception of sensitive behavior.
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Arentoft, A., Van Dyk, K., Thames, A. D., Sayegh, P., Thaler, N., Schonfeld, D., … Hinkin, C. H. (2016). Comparing the unmatched count technique and direct self-report for sensitive health-risk behaviors in HIV+ adults. AIDS Care, 28(3), 370–375. http://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2015.1090538
Publisher Statement
This is an author-manuscript of an article accepted for publication in AIDS Care following peer review. The version of record: Arentoft, A., Van Dyk, K., Thames, A. D., Sayegh, P., Thaler, N., Schonfeld, D., … Hinkin, C. H. (2016). Comparing the unmatched count technique and direct self-report for sensitive health-risk behaviors in HIV+ adults. AIDS Care, 28(3), 370–375 is available online at: http://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2015.1090538.
