SEXUAL RISK COGNITIONS QUESTIONNAIRE - A RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY STUDY

The Sexual Risk Cognitions Questionnaire was designed to assess the ty pe and frequency of cognitions associated with unsafe sex. It consists of 22 core items (SRCQ-22) with six subsections. Each subsection cons ists of 8-12 items designed for specific subgroups defined by gender, sexual orientation and HIV serostatus. Data on reliability and validit y are presented based on a sample of 344 respondents in London. Reliab ility for all sections of the questionnaire was high but sample number s were relatively small for some subsections. Validity for the SRQ-22 was assessed in terms of its relationship with self-reported sexual be haviour among men who have sex with men who made up the largest propor tion (70%) of the sample. The results indicate that the SRCQ-22 is a r eliable measure for assessing cognitions related to HIV risk sexual be haviour in this population and supports the view that they are importa nt determinants of safe and unsafe behaviour.