198065 Feasibility and acceptability of audio computer-assisted self-interviews to assess IPV in an Afro-Caribbean population in the US Virgin Islands

Monday, November 9, 2009

Juwarat A. Kadiri , School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD
Jamila K. Stockman, PhD , Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Phyllis Sharps, PhD, RN, FAAN , School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Richelle Bolyard, MPH , The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD
Gloria Callwood, PhD , University of The Virgin Island, St. Thomas, US Virgin Island
Doris Campbell, PhD , University of the Virgin Island, St. Thomas, US Virgin Island
Jacquelyn Campbell, PhD, RN, FAAN , Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD
Background: No systematic studies addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) in the US Virgin Islands (US-VI) exist, although service organizations note that IPV is highly prevalent and stigmatized. Studies have shown that audio computer- assisted self-interviews (ACASI) are effective in limiting response bias on sensitive information such as IPV and sexual behaviors in diverse populations. This study assesses the feasibility and acceptability of ACASI in collecting data on IPV among Afro-Caribbean women.

Methods: Using ACASI, participants completed a brief questionnaire to gain familiarity with the technology, followed by an extensive questionnaire that contains several abuse, mental, physical and sexual health scales. Participants also completed an exit survey on their impressions and comfort-level with the technology. Interviewers completed a post-interview report on participants' use of the technology and how often they required assistance.

Results: The questionnaire was piloted on 21 Afro-Caribbean women ages 18-41 (mean age= 28) in the US-VI with education levels ranging from 9th grade to college graduate. Although 3 participants indicated a preference for paper questionnaire, all participants indicated that they found the ACASI system easy to use. Interviewers noted that half of the participants did not require any assistance while the other half required assistance but only once or twice through out the questionnaire administration.

Conclusions: Use of ACASI in an Afro-Caribbean population was demonstrated to be feasible and acceptable. This technology could potentially reduce socially desirable responses and encourage valid responses about IPV and similar sensitive topics as well as address literacy issues in low resource settings.

Learning Objectives:
To assess the feasibility and acceptability of audio computer-assisted self-interview as a means to collect data on IPV among Afro-Caribbean women in the US Virgin Island

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a part of the Research Initiative for Student Enhancement (RISE) fellowship, I have undertaken a mentored research project. My activities for the past year involved serving as a research coordinator on the Afro-Caribbean and African American Women's Study (sponsored by the NCMHD of NIH grant # 1P20MD002286) that looks at abuse status and health consequences of black women in East Baltimore and the US Virgin Island. A bulk of my activities involved searching, developing and testing different means to administer the complex study questionnaire in an accessible manner to participants. I developed the questionnaire in paper format and tested that on several volunteers in Baltimore, and their feedback led to our eventual our decision to use an audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI). I developed the questionnaire into an ACASI format and tested it during the pilot on 21 women in the Virgin Island.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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