Abstract
BackgroundAudio Computer-Assisted Self Interviewing (ACASI) has improved the reliability and accuracy of self-reported HIV health and risk behavior data, yet few studies account for how participants experience the data collection process.Methodology/Principal FindingsThis exploratory qualitative analysis aimed to better understand the experience and implications of using ACASI among HIV-positive women participating in sexual risk reduction interventions in Chicago (n = 12) and Philadelphia (n = 18). Strategies of Grounded Theory were used to explore participants' ACASI experiences.Conclusion/SignificanceKey themes we identified included themes that could be attributed to the ACASI and other methods of data collection (e.g., paper-based self-administered questionnaire or face-to-face interviews). The key themes were usability; privacy and honesty; socially desirable responses and avoiding judgment; and unintentional discomfort resulting from recalling risky behavior using the ACASI. Despite both positive and negative findings about the ACASI experience, we conclude that ACASI is in general an appropriate method for collecting sensitive data about HIV/AIDS risk behaviors among HIV-positive women because it seemed to ensure privacy in the study population allowing for more honest responses, minimize socially desirable responses, and help participants avoid actual or perceived judgment.
Highlights
Measures of health risk behaviors often function in public health research without a ‘‘gold standard’’ measurement of comparison due to biases imposed by self-reporting
Applicable to All Methods of Data Collection Socially desirable responses. Participants said that they were honest on the Audio Computer-Assisted Self Interviewing (ACASI) throughout data collection, but admitted that it was likely that other women may have provided dishonest answers in order to maintain socially desirable norms, protect their privacy, or avoid fear or embarrassment with disclosure
Trina acknowledged that high risk behaviors that are socially undesirable responses, such as anal sex, may not be disclosed to an interviewer but may be disclosed to ACASI: Especially about anal sex because lot females aren’t going to really tell you that they take it in the back...You know
Summary
Measures of health risk behaviors often function in public health research without a ‘‘gold standard’’ measurement of comparison due to biases imposed by self-reporting. Reliability studies have aimed to improve the accuracy of self-reports through modified methods of data collection, such as self-administered versus interviewer-administered instruments [1]. Research indicates that some methods of data collection may increase disclosure and minimize socially desirable responses. One such method, Audio Computer-Assisted Self interviewing (ACASI) is a tool used in data collection to collect sensitive data about health and risk behaviors. Audio Computer-Assisted Self Interviewing (ACASI) has improved the reliability and accuracy of self-reported HIV health and risk behavior data, yet few studies account for how participants experience the data collection process
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