SELF-REPORT AMONG INJECTING DRUG-USERS - A REVIEW

The use of behavioural self-reports of drug users is widespread among studies of illicit drug use. Despite widespread use, concerns about th e accuracy of these reports continue to be raised. The current paper c ritically reviews the literature on the reliability and validity of se lf-reported drug use, criminality and HIV risk-taking among injecting drug users. The literature shows respectable reliability and validity of self-reported behaviours when compared to biomarkers, criminal reco rds and collateral interviews. It concludes that the self-reports of d rug users are sufficiently reliable and valid to provide descriptions of drug use, drug-related problems and the natural history of drug use . (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.