Talking about sex in Botswana: social desirability bias and possible implications for HIV-prevention research

Type Journal Article - African Journal of AIDS Research
Title Talking about sex in Botswana: social desirability bias and possible implications for HIV-prevention research
Author(s)
Volume 5
Issue 2
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2006
Page numbers 123-131
URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2989/16085900609490372
Abstract
Evaluations of the safety, effectiveness, and feasibility of HIV prevention interventions rely on self-reported sexual
behaviour data. The accuracy of such data has sometimes been questioned. The absence of a so-called objective
measure of sexual behaviour complicates this. Social desirability bias (SDB) is a key factor affecting the accuracy
of self-reports. Individual, semi-structured interviews focusing on possible causes of and solutions to SDB were
conducted with 30 Batswana women such as those who might enrol in planned vaginal microbicide trials. Respondents
pointed to shame and the fear of public talk about them as key factors contributing to inaccurate self-reports,
and they stressed the importance of privacy and confidentiality. Interviewer characteristics such as age, gender
and personality were often viewed as likely to affect their candour. Alternative interviewing techniques such as
audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) were appealing to some for the potential to reduce embarrassment;
others were sceptical. The possible implications for HIV-prevention research are presented.

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