Best-friend reports: a tool for measuring the prevalence of sensitive behaviors.

Yeatman, Sara; Trinitapoli, Jenny · Am J Public Health · 2011

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

We introduce the best-friend methodology for using surveys to measure the population prevalence of sensitive behaviors. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this tool by comparing self-reports to best-friend reports of sexual behavior and abortion history among young women in Malawi (n = 1493). Best-friend reports reveal higher and more believable estimates of abortion and multiple sexual partners. In contexts in which best friends commonly discuss such behaviors, best-friend reports are an inexpensive and easily implemented tool.

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