Reliability of self-reports about sexual risk behavior for HIV among homeless men with severe mental illness

The reliability of self-reports of sexual behaviors related to HIV transmis sion was examined in a study of homeless men with severe mental illness. Th irty-nine patients of a New York City shelter psychiatric program were inte rviewed about their sexual behaviors in the past six months. The same inter view was administered twice, with a one- to two-week interval between inter views. Test-retest reliability was assessed using kappa and intraclass corr elation coefficients. Reliability estimates ranged from .49 to .93 for over all sexual activity, number of partners, and specific behaviors other than receptive anal sex. Reliability was lower for condom use. The authors concl ude that reliable self-reports about sexual behavior can be obtained from h omeless men with severe mental illness.