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Background: Although telephone surveys provide an economical method for assessing patterns of diagnosed sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and STD-related behaviors in populations, the requirement that respondents report such information to human telephone interviewers introduces an opportunity for substantial reporting bias. Telephone computer-assisted self-interviewing (T-ACASI) surveys substitute a computer for human interviewers when asking sensitive questions. Methods: A randomized experiment was embedded in a telephone survey that drew probability samples of the populations of the United States (N = 1543) and Baltimore city (N = 744). Respondents were randomly assigned to have sensitive questions asked either by a TACASI computer or by a human telephone interviewer. Results: Respondents interviewed by a T-ACASI computer were more likely to report STD symptoms [dysuria, genital sores, genital discharge, and genital warts; adjusted odds ratios (ORs) = 1.5-2.8] and a diagnosis of gonococcal or chlamydial infection during the past year (adjusted ORs = 3.6 and 6.1). T-ACASI respondents with a main sex partner in the past year were more likely to report that their partner has had an STD (adjusted OR = 2.4). For some measurements, the impact of T-ACASI was strongest among younger and less-educated respondents. When sampling weights were applied to project National STD and Behavior Measurement Experiment results to the populations of the United States and Baltimore, we found that reliance on data obtained by human interviewers would underestimate the annual incidence of chlamydial and gonococcal infections in these populations by factors of 2.4 to 9.7. Conclusions: Compared with human telephone interviewers, T-ACASI surveys obtain increased reporting of STD symptoms, infections, and STD-related behaviors.

This article examines exercise readiness and participation among women from different ethnic backgrounds. Findings indicate that more than half of the participants engaged in regular exercise and that there were a reduced number of black women in active stages of exercise readiness when compared to Native American and Hispanic women.

This study uses a nationwide telephone survey to examine the relationship between attitudes toward physical fitness, demographic variables, and levels of physical activity. Results indicate that there is a significant association between the perceived importance of exercise, gender, and regular physical activity levels.

This article examines methods of measuring physical activity in the United States based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Current measures indicate that only about twenty percent of adults engage in adequate physical activity and that more standardized surveillance methods are needed to help address this public health problem.

This article compares the accuracy of using motion sensors, daily written logs, or weekly telephone surveys to measure the amount of time spent on household, recreational, or occupational physical activities. Results indicate that the three measurement methods produced similar estimates of time spent on moderate and intense physical activities.

Numbers can tell a compelling story. Whether it's a handful of statistics presented as a snapshot in time or trend data showing changes over the years, numbers tend to tell [...]

The San Diego Workforce Partnership, the region's employment training agency, contracted with Carlsbad-based Godbe Research and Analysis to survey nearly 8,000 area companies with more than five employees about the [...]

According to a survey funded by the American Medical Association (AMA), the public is uncertain about whether some health care professionals are--or are not--physicians. On the one hand, 93% believe [...]