Vaginal practices diary: development of a pictorial data collection tool for sensitive behavioural data
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sexually transmitted diseases
Abstract
Intravaginal practices (IVP) are highly prevalent behaviours among women at
increased risk for HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. IVP data collected by face-to-face interviews (FTFI)
may be subject to recall or social desirability bias. Daily self-administered diaries may help to
decrease bias associated with FTFI. IVP data from a diary and FTFI were compared during a
multi-site microbicide feasibility study in Tanzania and Uganda.
Methods—Two hundred women were recruited and given diaries to complete daily for six
weeks. Data obtained in the diary were compared to data from the FTFI during clinical visits to
assess the consistency of reporting of IVP between the data collection methods.
Results—In Tanzania, proportions of overall vaginal cleansing and insertion were similar for the
FTFI and the diary, but the diary indicated higher frequency of cleansing and use of a cloth or
other applicator. In Uganda, proportions of overall vaginal cleansing were similar for FTFI and the
diary, but the diary indicated higher frequency of cleansing, use of soaps and cloths for cleansing,
and insertion. Most of the inconsistencies between the two data collection methods were from
reported frequency of IVP or IVP related to sexual intercourse.
Conclusions—The comparison of FTFI and the vaginal practice diary suggests that recall of
IVP may be improved by a daily self-administered diary, especially for frequency of cleansing and
cleansing in proximity to sexual intercourse. The vaginal practices diary can provide a more
detailed understanding of IVP and aid in the interpretation of findings from FTFI. Vaginal
practices diary: development of a pictorial data collection tool for sensitive behavioural data.
Description
Keywords
Vaginal practices, Diary, HIV, Sexual behaviour, Sub-Saharan Africa
Citation
Francis, SC, Lees, SS, Andrew, B., Zalwango, F., Vandepitte, J., Ao, T., ... & Hayes, R. (2012). Vaginal practices diary: development of a pictorial data collection tool for sensitive behavioral data. Sexually transmitted diseases , doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e3182515fe4.