Priming Effects of HIV Risk Assessments on Related Perceptions and Behavior: An Experimental Field Study

Abstract

HIV-AIDS prevention research requires assessment administration formats that do not enhance response bias or risk sensitization. In the present study, reactivity of self-reported sexual history measures used in HIV prevention research was examined in a sample of 158 African American women. Sexual history assessments were administered in one of three formats: self-administration, administration assisted by overhead projections of measures explaining items while participants completed their own assessment instruments, or face-to-face interviews, with follow-up assessments completed 2 weeks later. Consistent with previous research, test-retest coefficients indicated moderate stability of the sexual behavior measures. We also found that participants who self-administered measures were less likely to return for the 2-week follow-up. Tests for measurement reactivity showed that self-administered questionnaires and face-to-face interviews primed sensitization to personal risk and intentions to change risk behaviors to a greater extent than did the projector-assisted assessments. We conclude that sexual behaviors can be assessed with moderate test-retest stability in inner-city women and some administration procedures may enhance preparedness to change HIV risk behaviors.