Faculty Collaboration Database

Aggregate versus individual-level sexual behavior assessment: how much detail is needed to accurately estimate HIV/STI risk? Eval Rev 2010 Feb;34(1):19-34

Date

02/05/2010

Pubmed ID

20130234

Pubmed Central ID

PMC4091776

DOI

10.1177/0193841X09353534

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-76249104843 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   12 Citations

Abstract

The sexual behaviors of HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention intervention participants can be assessed on a partner-by-partner basis: in aggregate (i.e., total numbers of sex acts, collapsed across partners) or using a combination of these two methods (e.g., assessing five partners in detail and any remaining partners in aggregate). There is a natural trade-off between the level of sexual behavior detail and the precision of HIV/STI acquisition risk estimates. The results of this study indicate that relatively simple aggregate data collection techniques suffice to adequately estimate HIV risk. For highly infectious STIs, in contrast, accurate STI risk assessment requires more intensive partner-by-partner methods.

Author List

Pinkerton SD, Galletly CL, McAuliffe TL, DiFranceisco W, Raymond HF, Chesson HW

Authors

Wayne J. DiFranceisco Research Scientist II in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Carol L. Galletly JD, PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Timothy L. McAuliffe PhD Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Algorithms
Female
HIV Infections
Health Promotion
Humans
Male
Models, Theoretical
Prevalence
Public Health
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Risk-Taking
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Social Marketing
United States
Unsafe Sex