9th International AIDS Conference Berlin, Germany — June 6-11, 1993

Int Conf AIDS 1993 Jun 6-11; 9:128 (abstract no. WS-D25-2)
Miller KS, Bartholow B, Schoenbaum E, Webber M; Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the extent to which adolescent and young adult couples agree in their reports of sex, condom use, and drug use behaviors.

METHODS: Data was collected from 53 heterosexual partners (female index < or = 25 years of age) recruited and individually interviewed (86% on the same day) at a family planning clinic in NYC. Categorical responses (ever versus never with current sex partner) were compared using Kappa coefficient, and continuous responses were compared using Pearson's correlation coefficient.

RESULTS: The percent of agreement and kappa statistics varied moderately by specific behavior: fellatio (73% agreement, k = .39), cunnilingus (76% agreement, k = .47) and anal intercourse (86% agreement, k = .50). Females were more likely to report incidence of fellatio and anal intercourse than males. Agreement on frequency of sexual intercourse and condom use with current partner was low (48% and 41%, respectively) and not highly correlated (r = .43, p = .001 and r = .41, p < or = .05) with male partners reporting greater frequency for both behaviors than females. Higher agreement was found for non-sexual behaviors. Percent agreement for current cocaine and cigarette use (reported by index and corroborated by partner) were very high (96% and 94%, respectively) as were the kappa statistics (k = .73 and k = .88, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Improved methods of data collection are necessary to ensure reliable data for use in intervention development.

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