RELIABILITY OF SEXUAL HISTORIES IN HETEROSEXUAL COUPLES

Background and Objectives: Reliability of responses between partners w as used as a surrogate to examine the validity of self-reported sexual histories in two samples with different risk and demographic profiles and different intensities of contact with study staff. Study Design: Retrospective self-report data were compared between partners and betw een samples. Results: Despite differences between the two groups, reli ability of the sexual history data was comparable. Conclusions: Furthe r study is needed to examine other methodologies for collecting sensit ive data. Intensive contact and rapport building may not be necessary.