Effectiveness of the hill tribe audio computer assisted self interview versus self-administration questionnaires to assess sexual behaviors among the hill tribe youths
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Abstract
Background: Human sexual behaviors are common, and some practices increase the risk contracting a diseass, however it is difficult to obtain accurate information from a particular population. The hill tribe audio computer-assisted self-interview (HACASI) was developed. The study aimed to compare its effectiveness with a paper-based questionnaire among hill tribe youths in assessing their sexual behaviors.
Methods: Two different experimental assessments were performed to collect data from youths aged 15–24 years belonging to one of six main tribes: Akha, Lahu, Hmong, Yao, Karen, or Lisu. Purposive sampling was used to select sexually active participants. Questions regarding individuals’ sexual behaviors were prepared and collected in two forms: paper-based questionnaires and HACASI. Chi-square and correlation tests were used to detect differences and correlations, respectively, at a significance level of = 0.05.
Results: A total of 600 participants were recruited for the study; 50.0% were male, 72.5% were aged 15–17 years (mean = 16.7, SD = 1.34), and 81.2% were Christian. Tribes were represented as follows: 20.0%, Akha; 16.7%, Lahu; 16.7%, Hmong; 16.7%, Yao; 16.7%, Karen; 13.3%, Lisu). A large proportion of the participants were students (84.0%). In the correlation test between the paper-based questionnaire and HACASI in classification by sex, answers to seven variables were found to be statistically significantly different in males (P-value<0.001): having sex experience, age at their first sexual intercourse, the number of partners, their first sexual intercourse, condom use, being MSM, being engaged in prostitution. Another seven variables were found to be statistically significantly different (P-value < 0.001) between the paper-based questionnaire and HACASI among female sexual behaviors on questions related to having sexual experience, age of their first sexual intercourse, the number of partners, with whom they had first sexual intercourse, condom use, past-year sexual intercourse with men, and being a prostitute.
Conclusion: The HACASI is appropriate for gathering information on sexual behaviors among youths and should be promoted in surveillance systems to monitor sexual behaviors among hill tribe youths in the future.
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