Comparing the unmatched count technique and direct self-report for sensitive health-risk behaviors in HIV+ adults

Authors

• Alyssa Arentoft, California State University, Northridge
• Kathleen Van Dyk, University of California, Los Angeles
• April D. Thames, University of California, Los Angeles
• Philip Sayegh, University of California, Los Angeles
• Nicholas Thaler, University of California, Los Angeles
• Daniel Schonfeld, West Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center
• Joseph W. LaBrie, Loyola Marymount UniversityFollow
• Charles H. Hinkin, University of California, Los Angeles

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.

Original Publication Citation

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.