The Influence of Sex of Interviewer on the Results of an AIDS Survey in Ghana

Researchers often assume respondents will give more accurate information about sexual behavior to interviewers of the same sex. The influence of sex of interviewer was examined in Ghana at a very early stage of the AIDS epidemic. No substantial discrepancies in reported sexual behavior by sex of interviewer were found for male respondents. For female respondents, very young women (15-18) were more likely to tell male interviewers they had had prior sexual activity. Unexpectedly, substantial differences in responses to knowledge and attitude questions were found. Female interviewers were more likely to be told that most people didn't need to worry about AIDS and that there was a cure for AIDS. Similar differences were found for attitudes to condoms: both sexes were more likely to report their friends were using condoms and condoms spoil sex if the interviewer was female. It is unwise to assume respondents will give more accurate information to interviewers of the same sex and impossible to determine a priori what type of response bias might occur. Systematic study of the potential influence of sex of interviewer is needed in every new field situation.