Recall of health-risky behaviors for the prior 2 or 4 weeks via computerized versus printed questionnaire

摘要

Sixty-three undergraduate women and men were assigned randomly to either computerized or printed questionnaires requesting recall of frequencies of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, of exercise, and of risky sexual behaviors over either the preceding 2 or 4 weeks. Participants in the computerized questionnaire condition viewed items presented by a computer via an overhead projection pad and responded on individual keypads networked to the computer. Participants in the printed questionnaire condition saw items, and responded, on paper questionnaires. The less anonymous, computer conditions produced significantly and substantially lower reports of risky sexual behavior. For self-reports of sexually transmitted diseases, anonymity of mode of presentation interacted with gender. Men's but not women's reports of aerobic exercise were affected by mode of presentation. Perceived anonymity did not affect self-reports of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use in general. Binge drinking, however, was reported at significantly and substantially higher levels by men than by women, but only in the 4-week recall condition. Also, students were significantly more comfortable reporting their health-related behaviors over a 4- versus a 2-week period.