BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Results of prospective cohort studies can be biased when subjects selectively refuse to participate or be included in follow-up. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: To assess the potential for bias in a longitudinal study of sexual risk behavior among men who have sex with men. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional comparison of clinical data regarding men who have sex with men attending an urban human immunodeficiency virus testing clinic. RESULTS: Of 3,390 men who have sex with men invited to participate, 2,063 refused, 589 dropped out after completing an initial study questionnaire, and 738 participated in follow-up at 6 months. There were no significant differences in the same-gender sexual behaviors of participants, dropouts, and nonparticipants, with one exception: Nonparticipants were more likely to abstain from receptive oral sex (27%) compared with participants (18%) or dropouts (21%). CONCLUSION: The similarities in reported activities among participants, dropouts, and nonparticipants suggest that selection bias may have limited impact on cohort studies of sexual behavior.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Results of prospective cohort studies can be biased when subjects selectively refuse to participate or be included in follow-up. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: To assess the potential for bias in a longitudinal study of sexual risk behavior among men who have sex with men. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional comparison of clinical data regarding men who have sex with men attending an urban human immunodeficiency virus testing clinic. RESULTS: Of 3,390 men who have sex with men invited to participate, 2,063 refused, 589 dropped out after completing an initial study questionnaire, and 738 participated in follow-up at 6 months. There were no significant differences in the same-gender sexual behaviors of participants, dropouts, and nonparticipants, with one exception: Nonparticipants were more likely to abstain from receptive oral sex (27%) compared with participants (18%) or dropouts (21%). CONCLUSION: The similarities in reported activities among participants, dropouts, and nonparticipants suggest that selection bias may have limited impact on cohort studies of sexual behavior.
Authors: Michael P Carey; Theresa E Senn; Peter A Vanable; Patricia Coury-Doniger; Marguerite A Urban Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 2008-01 Impact factor: 2.830
Authors: Seema Sahay; Nikhil Gupte; Radhika G Brahme; Amit Nirmalkar; Shilpa Bembalkar; Robert C Bollinger; Sanjay Mehendale Journal: PLoS One Date: 2011-03-11 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Janet Raboud; DeSheng Su; Ann N Burchell; Sandra Gardner; Sharon Walmsley; Ahmed M Bayoumi; Sandra Blitz; Curtis Cooper; Irving Salit; Jeff Cohen; Sean B Rourke; Mona R Loutfy Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2013-03-05 Impact factor: 4.615
Authors: Jenevieve Opoku; Rupali K Doshi; Amanda D Castel; Ian Sorensen; Michael Horberg; Adam Allston; Michael Kharfen; Alan E Greenberg Journal: JMIR Public Health Surveill Date: 2020-04-15