Abstract
We explored the use of qualitative interviews to discuss discrepancies between two sources of information on unprotected sex:
biomarker results and self-reported survey data. The study context was a randomized trial in Kingston, Jamaica examining the
effect of STI counseling messages on recent sexual behavior using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as the primary study outcome.
Twenty women were interviewed. Eleven participants were selected because they tested positive for PSA indicating recent semen
exposure, yet reported no unprotected sex in a quantitative survey (“discordant”): 5 reported abstinence and 6 reported condom
use. Nine participants who also tested positive for PSA but reported unprotected sex in the survey were interviewed for comparison
(“concordant”). Qualitative interviews with 6 of the 11 discordant participants provided possible explanations for their PSA
test results, and 5 of those were prompted by direct discussion of those results. Rapid PSA testing combined with qualitative
interviews provides a novel tool for investigating and complementing self-reported sexual behavior.
biomarker results and self-reported survey data. The study context was a randomized trial in Kingston, Jamaica examining the
effect of STI counseling messages on recent sexual behavior using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as the primary study outcome.
Twenty women were interviewed. Eleven participants were selected because they tested positive for PSA indicating recent semen
exposure, yet reported no unprotected sex in a quantitative survey (“discordant”): 5 reported abstinence and 6 reported condom
use. Nine participants who also tested positive for PSA but reported unprotected sex in the survey were interviewed for comparison
(“concordant”). Qualitative interviews with 6 of the 11 discordant participants provided possible explanations for their PSA
test results, and 5 of those were prompted by direct discussion of those results. Rapid PSA testing combined with qualitative
interviews provides a novel tool for investigating and complementing self-reported sexual behavior.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0286-y
- Authors
- Marion W. Carter, Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS-K-34, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
- Althea Bailey, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
- Margaret C. Snead, Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS-K-34, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
- Elizabeth Costenbader, Behavioral and Social Science Department, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA
- Malene Townsend, Comprehensive Health Centre (CHC)/Epidemiology Research and Training Unit (ERTU), Jamaica Ministry of Health, Kingston, Jamaica
- Maurizio Macaluso, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Denise J. Jamieson, Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS-K-34, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
- Tina Hylton-Kong, Comprehensive Health Centre (CHC)/Epidemiology Research and Training Unit (ERTU), Jamaica Ministry of Health, Kingston, Jamaica
- Lee Warner, Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS-K-34, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
- Markus J. Steiner, Clinical Sciences Department, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165