Agreement of daily diary and retrospective measures of condom use

AIDS Behav. 2008 Jan;12(1):113-7. doi: 10.1007/s10461-007-9240-9. Epub 2007 May 10.

Abstract

This study compares condom use reported two ways. 251 heterosexual participants (63% female) reported condom use on a prospective daily diary and on a retrospective questionnaire. Proportion of condom use with vaginal sex was calculated from the diary data and contrasted with retrospective categories. Responses were consistent for some participants, especially those who used condoms never or always, but responses from others showed considerable variability. Participants with few sexual encounters were more likely than those with more encounters to use "never" and "every time" endpoints. The results call into question the way participants interpret the meaning of retrospective categories.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior
  • Adult
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Heterosexuality
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / prevention & control
  • Students / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*