Original aryticleReliability of adolescents’ self-reported sexual behavior: a comparison of two diary methodologies
Section snippets
Study population
Female participants ranged in age from 15 to 19 years and were recruited from among clients seeking reproductive health care services at a Planned Parenthood teen clinic in San Rafael, California, and through community outreach during May through December 1998. This study originated from a larger prospective cohort study of contraceptive use that investigated the acceptability of barrier contraceptive methods among sexually active young women and their male partners. Eligibility (determined
Participant characteristics
Of 139 adolescents, 118 were eligible (21 ineligible primarily because not sexually active currently) and 107 agreed to participate in the study. Females who declined participation did not differ from those who did enroll with regard to demographic characteristics or current sexual risk behaviors. Fifty-four participants were randomized to the written calendar cohort and 53 were assigned the automated telephone diary. Two participants did not complete the baseline interview, and thus the final
Discussion
The comparisons of diary data obtained through the written and telephone modes suggest that, apart from spermicide use, the overall likelihood of reporting specific contraceptive method and alcohol/drug use did not vary significantly by collection mode. Use of any contraceptive method during vaginal sex, however, was reported, but not significantly, somewhat more frequently among the telephone diary cohort. This difference appeared to be driven by the higher reported use of hormonal
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by Institute for Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Grant 1R01HD32789-01A1. Many thanks are extended to the dedicated research staff: Jessica Bowen, Lilia Cardenas, Mary de la Roca, Sarah Glass, Heather Gould, Margaret Handley, Cı́o Hernandez, Jill Johnson, Janet Jonte, Abigail Norris, Andrea Raider, Judy Quan, April Vogensen, and Jane Wong. In addition, the authors are grateful to the study participants who volunteered for the Reproductive Health Project and
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