Assessing knowledge of human papillomavirus and collecting data on sexual behavior: computer assisted telephone versus face to face interviews

Anthony Smith,Anthony Lyons,Suzanne Garland,Richard Ryall,Mee Lian Wong,Samantha Croy,Eng Hseon Tay,Marian Pitts

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-9-429

Abstract

BackgroundEducation campaigns seeking to raise awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) and promoting HPV vaccination depend on accurate surveys of public awareness and knowledge of HPV and related sexual behavior. However, the most recent population-based studies have relied largely on computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) as opposed to face to face interviews (FTFI). It is currently unknown how these survey modes differ, and in particular whether they attract similar demographics and therefore lead to similar overall findings.MethodsA comprehensive survey of HPV awareness and knowledge, including sexual behavior, was conducted among 3,045 Singaporean men and women, half of whom participated via CATI, the other half via FTFI.ResultsOverall levels of awareness and knowledge of HPV differed between CATI and FTFI, attributable in part to demographic variations between these survey modes. Although disclosure of sexual behavior was greater when using CATI, few differences between survey modes were found in the actual information disclosed.ConclusionAlthough CATI is a cheaper, faster alternative to FTFI and people appear more willing to provide information about sexual behavior when surveyed using CATI, thorough assessments of HPV awareness and knowledge depend on multiple survey modes.

Highlights

Education campaigns seeking to raise awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) and promoting HPV vaccination depend on accurate surveys of public awareness and knowledge of HPV and related sexual behavior
Additional demographic variables not included in our survey may have played a role, it is possible that some women in the face to face interviews (FTFI) group falsely reported an awareness of HPV as this survey mode is susceptible to socially-desirable responding[12]
Conducting research using computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) is less expensive and faster than FTFI, so a strong case can be made for favouring this survey mode, especially as it leads to higher disclosure for sexual behavior

Summary

Introduction

Education campaigns seeking to raise awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) and promoting HPV vaccination depend on accurate surveys of public awareness and knowledge of HPV and related sexual behavior. BMC Public Health 2009, 9:429 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/9/429 campaigns, such as Healthy People 2010 in the U.S[2], are trying to change sexual behavior and promote the uptake of HPV vaccination. To ensure these campaigns remain effective, recent population-based surveys conducted in a range of countries worldwide [3,4,5,6,7,8,9] have assessed public levels of HPV awareness and knowledge. Some used mail out surveys[3,5] and face to face interviews (FTFI)[9], while the most recent studies used telephone or computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI)[4,6,7,8]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion