A systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative interviewing tools to investigate self-reported HIV and STI associated behaviours in low- and middle-income countries

Anna Elizabeth Phillips (1) , Gabriella B Gomez (1) , Marie-Claude Boily (1) , Geoffrey P Garnett (1)

1 Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine

ABSTRACT Objective Studies identifying risks and evaluating interventions for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) often rely on self-reported measures of sensitive behaviours. Such self-reports can be subject to social desirability bias. Concerns over the accuracy of these measures have prompted efforts to improve the level of privacy and anonymity of the interview setting. This study aims to determine whether such novel tools minimise misreporting of sensitive information. Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in low- and middle-income countries comparing traditional face-to-face interview (FTFI) with innovative tools for reporting HIV risk behaviour. Crude odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Cochran's chi-squared test of heterogeneity was performed to explore differences between estimates. Pooled estimates were determined by gender, region, education, setting and question timeframe using a random-effects model. Results We found and included 15 datasets in the meta-analysis. Most studies compared audio computer assisted self interview (ACASI) with FTFI. There was significant heterogeneity across studies for three outcomes of interest: 'ever had sex' (I2=93.4%, p<0.001), non-condom use (I2=89.3%, p<0.001), and number of partners (I2=75.3%, p<0.001). For the fourth outcome, 'forced sex' there was homogenous increased reporting by non-FTFI methods (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.11-1.94). Overall, non-FTFI methods were not consistently associated with a significant increase in the reporting of all outcomes. However, there was increased reporting associated with non-FTFI with region (Asia), setting (urban), education (more than 60% had secondary education) and a shorter question timeframe. Conclusion Contrary to expectation, differences between FTFI and non-interviewer administered interview methods for the reported sensitive behaviour investigated were not uniform. However, we observed trends and variations in the level of reporting according to the outcome, study and population characteristics. FTFI may not always be inferior to innovative interview tools depending on the sensitivity of the question as well as the population assessed. Keywords: Interview, review, meta-analysis, bias

Mots clés: Medicine

Anna Elizabeth Phillips, Gabriella B Gomez, Marie-Claude Boily, Geoffrey P Garnett. A systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative interviewing tools to investigate self-reported HIV and STI associated behaviours in low- and middle-income countries. International Journal of Epidemiology, 2010, ⟨10.1093/ije/DYQ114⟩. ⟨hal-00608720⟩