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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2005.12.002 Byline: Anna Azevedo Simoes (a), Francisco Inacio Bastos (b), Ronaldo Ismerio Moreira (b), Kevin G. Lynch (c), David S. Metzger (c) Keywords: ACASI; Substance abuse; Risk behavior; HIV/STI; Interview Abstract: This study compares drug patterns and prevalence of risk behaviors in a randomized trial using two methods of administration, Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI) and Interviewer-Administered Questionnaire (IAQ), among drug users seeking treatment in a drug treatment center. We randomized 735 participants: 367 to ACASI and 368 to IAQ. No significant difference in sociodemographic variables were found between subjects in the two arms of the study. Those interviewed by ACASI were more likely to report use on 7 of 10 substances assessed. Rates of reporting of sexual risk behaviors (male-to-male and commercial sex) were higher among participants in the ACASI arm. ACASI seems to be a key resource in improving the reporting of sensitive data in Brazil, as it has been in prior international studies. Author Affiliation: (a) Health Department of the State Government of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (b) Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (c) University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA Article History: Received 12 May 2005; Revised 10 December 2005; Accepted 18 December 2005

This study compares drug patterns and prevalence of risk behaviors in a randomized trial using two methods of administration, Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI) and Interviewer-Administered Questionnaire (IAQ), among drug users seeking treatment in a drug treatment center. We randomized 735 participants: 367 to ACASI and 368 to IAQ. No significant difference in sociodemographic variables were found between subjects in the two arms of the study. Those interviewed by ACASI were more likely to report use on 7 of 10 substances assessed. Rates of reporting of sexual risk behaviors (male-to-male and commercial sex) were higher among participants in the ACASI arm. ACASI seems to be a key resource in improving the reporting of sensitive data in Brazil, as it has been in prior international studies. [C] 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: ACAS1; Substance abuse; Risk behavior; HIV/ST1; Interview

Researchers used the sensitive/less sensitive (S/LS) assay to test blood samples from 6,353 heterosexual men and women who visited an HIV testing clinic. The rate of infection was high enough to identify these people as a high risk population that might be willing to participate in AIDS vaccine trials.