When do simpler sexual behavior data collection techniques suffice? An analysis of consequent uncertainty in HIV acquisition risk estimates. Eval Rev 2007 Aug;31(4):401-12
Date
07/11/2007Pubmed ID
17620663Pubmed Central ID
PMC2408959DOI
10.1177/0193841X07300237Scopus ID
2-s2.0-34547272491 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 13 CitationsAbstract
The "gold standard" for evaluating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention programs is a partner-by-partner sexual behavior assessment that elicits information about each sex partner and the activities engaged in with that partner. When collection of detailed partner-by-partner data is not feasible, aggregate data (e.g., total numbers of partners and acts of various types) must suffice. Lack of specificity in the primary data often translates into uncertainty in modeled outcomes, such as participants' risk of HIV acquisition. To our knowledge, no previous study has attempted to quantify this uncertainty. The results of the present analysis of the risk of HIV acquisition by men vacationing in Key West indicate that the use of aggregate rather than partner-by-partner data introduced relatively little uncertainty into the HIV risk estimates. Collection of aggregate data is a viable alternative to detailed partner-by-partner data, at least in some circumstances.
Author List
Pinkerton SD, Benotsch EG, Mikytuck JMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultData Collection
Florida
HIV Infections
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Models, Statistical
Pilot Projects
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Risk-Taking
Sexual Behavior
Uncertainty
