Test-retest reliability of self-reported drug treatment variables

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2007 Jul;33(1):7-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2006.11.007. Epub 2007 Jan 16.

Abstract

We conducted two studies to assess the test-retest reliability of drug treatment questions in the Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA) and Risk Behavior Follow-Up Assessment (RBFA). In Study 1, 218 active drug users participated in an RBA 48-hour test-retest reliability assessment; in Study 2, 257 active drug users participated in an RBFA 48-hour test-retest reliability assessment. Results revealed acceptable reliability for the main drug treatment question in both the RBA (.85) and RBFA (.85): "Have you ever in your lifetime been in a drug treatment or detoxification center?" Other more specific drug treatment questions yielded mixed results. Twenty-four of the 35 RBA and RBFA treatment variables (68.6%) that could be calculated displayed acceptable test-retest reliability coefficients. Test-retest reliability coefficients for the RBFA continuous variables could not be calculated owing to a lack of participants in drug treatment during the previous 6 months. Future research establishing greater delineation of this problem may aid in the construction of assessment instruments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Crime / statistics & numerical data
  • HIV Seropositivity / epidemiology
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs*
  • Methadone / therapeutic use
  • Needle Sharing / statistics & numerical data
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Patient Admission / statistics & numerical data
  • Program Evaluation / statistics & numerical data
  • Retreatment / statistics & numerical data
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • United States
  • Unsafe Sex

Substances

  • Illicit Drugs
  • Methadone