CAPS National Sexual Health Survey (NSHS)

Abstract

The National Sexual Health Survey (NSHS) is a comprehensive national telephone survey initiated by the Centre for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS). Its primary objective is to assess a broad spectrum of HIV-related risk factors and issues pertaining to human sexuality among adults residing in the 48 contiguous United States. The survey design includes detailed measures covering topics such as condom attitudes, HIV/STD testing behaviors, histories of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), perceived risk assessments, and sensitive areas like sexual abuse and sexual dysfunctions.

Beyond standard demographic and behavioral measures, the NSHS integrates established psychological instruments, notably scales assessing traits like sensation-seeking and machismo. The data collected provides essential epidemiological information used by public health agencies to inform AIDS education and prevention programs across the nation.

Keywords

Sexual Health, HIV, AIDS, STDs, Condom Use, Sexual Risk Behaviors, Sexual Dysfunction, Sensation-Seeking, Machismo, Public Health Surveillance.

Authors

The tool was developed by the Centre for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS). Key contributing researchers for the seminal publication detailing the survey prevalence included Catania JA, Coates TJ, Stall R, Turner HA, Peterson J, Hearst N, Dolcini MM, Hudes E, Gagnon J, Wiley J, and Groves R.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the National Sexual Health Survey (NSHS) is to collect comprehensive, nationally representative data on HIV-related risk factors and diverse aspects of human sexuality. This information is crucial for public health surveillance and intervention planning.

The data gathered informs medical and public health professionals, allowing them to accurately assess the prevalence of risk behaviors, track the use of protective measures (like condoms), and develop effective AIDS education strategies for communities across the United States.

Construct

The NSHS is designed as a broad-based epidemiological and psychological instrument, assessing numerous constructs simultaneously. Key behavioral and attitudinal domains measured include condom attitudes, frequency of condom slips and breaks, and the history and frequency of HIV testing and home testing use. It also determines demographic, geographic, and risk characteristics associated with sexual partners (up to 10 partners in the past year).

Furthermore, the survey incorporates specialized psychological scales to measure traits such as sensation-seeking and machismo. Other critical constructs assessed are perceived risk for HIV and other STDs, optimistic bias in risk assessment, experiences of extramarital sex, history of sexual development, and detailed assessments of sexual abuse, rape, and sexual dysfunctions.

Validity

Specific details regarding the validity of the scales and measures utilized within the NSHS are documented in the primary academic publication by Catania et al. (1992). This reference provides the necessary scientific foundation for the methodology and data collection integrity, particularly concerning the validity of self-reported AIDS-related risk factors and condom use behaviors across the national sample.

Reliability

Comprehensive psychometric information, including measures of reliability, is presented in the foundational research paper cited below. Researchers are directed to review the 1992 publication in Science for an in-depth analysis of the NSHS’s internal consistency and test-retest reliability across its various sub-scales, which include complex constructs like sensation-seeking and assessments of sexual history.

Factor Analysis

Given the NSHS is a multi-faceted survey incorporating several embedded psychological scales (e.g., sensation-seeking, machismo), factor analysis would apply to the structuring of these specific sub-constructs. However, detailed results of the factor analysis for the overall survey structure or its constituent psychological instruments are not provided within the initial background summary. Researchers should consult the full technical documentation or the key reference article for potential information on underlying factor structures.

Instrument

Test Type: Comprehensive National Epidemiological and Psychological Survey

Format: Structured Telephone Survey administered by interviewers (often utilizing Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing or CATI).

Language Available: English (Primary language of administration).

Population Group: General adult population of the United States.

Age Group: Adults 18 years and older.

Population Details: Respondents residing in the 48 contiguous states, selected via a random sampling procedure based on the next birthday among eligible household members.

Test Methodology: Random digit dialing (RDD, implied) followed by a strict within-household random selection process (next birthday method) to ensure valid demographic representation. The interview is confidential and covers highly sensitive material related to sexual behavior and history.

Keywords

Sexual Development, Sexual Abuse, Extramarital Sex, Optimistic Bias, Psychometrics, CAPS, Public Health, US National Survey, AIDS Prevention.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not publicly specified for the Centre for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS).

Affiliation Email addresses: Not specified.

Correspondence Address: Correspondence is typically directed through the Centre for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: The primary data referenced for the NSHS was collected around the early 1990s, with the seminal findings published in 1992.

Permissions and Fees: Information regarding current usage permissions or fees for accessing the full dataset should be sought directly from the Centre for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS) at UCSF. The survey instrument is publicly available for research purposes. The original PDF of the questionnaire can be downloaded here: CAPS National Sexual Health Survey (NSHS) Questionnaire.

Reference’s

• Catania JA, Coates TJ, Stall R, Turner HA, Peterson J, Hearst N, Dolcini MM, Hudes E, Gagnon J, Wiley J, Groves R (1992). Prevalence of AIDS-related risk factors and condom use in the United States. Science, 258, 1101–1106.

Items of the CAPS National Sexual Health Survey (NSHS)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

Hello this is (INTERVIEWER’S NAME), I’m calling from the University of California. We are conducting a study of important national public health issues and would like to ask you a few questions. Before I begin, is this (PHONE NUMBER DIALED)?

1. I need to randomly select one adult from your household. To help me do that, please think about the people 18 years of age or older, who currently live in your household. Which one of them has a birthday coming up next?

   Informant ……………………………………………………..[SKIP TO S5] 1

   Someone else ……………………………………………….[SKIP TO S3] 2

   Don’t know all birthdays, only some ……………[CONTINUE WITH S2] 3

   Don’t know any birthdays, just mine……………[SKIP TO S5] 4

   Declined to Answer 9

2. Of the birthdays you DO know, whose birthday is coming up next?

   Informant ……………………………………………………..[SKIP TO S5] 1

   Someone else ……………………………………………….[CONTINUE WITH S3] 2

3. May I speak to (him/her)?

   I’ll get (him/her) ……………………………………………[SKIP TO S5] 1

   (He/She) is not at home ………………………………..[CONTINUE WITH S4] 2

4. Call Back Information:4A. If respondent CANNOT DO INTERVIEW NOW, OR

   If respondent IS NOT AT HOME, ask:

   May I please have (your/their) first name, so I know who to ask for when I call back?

   (R’s Name)

   What is the best time to call (YOU/NAME OF RESPONDENT)?

   DATE: _______________ TIME: _______________AM PM

   Should I call this number then?

   Yes 1

   No ……………………..[RECORD OTHER NUMBER FOR CALL BACK] 2

   ( ) –

   4B. Confirm date and time and phone number for call back. Thank you very much.

5. We are conducting a health study and we are talking about the topic of AIDS. This information will be used by medical and public health workers to plan AIDS education for your community. You have been selected to be included in the study from among the adult members of your household. All your answers are confidential, and at no time will your name be associated with the answers you give. If you do not want to answer a certain question, you are free to go on to the next question, but we would really appreciate it if you would answer all the questions, you can. (INTERVIEWER: When asked for more information say, “If you have questions about the study, you may call my supervisor Veronica Raymonda at 1-800-998- 9112.”)Do you understand what I have told you?

   Yes 1

   No 2

   Date:

   Time:

   Initials of interviewer:

6. What is your birthdate? / / (Month/Day/Year)

(Respondents born in 1977 and earlier are eligible. If R born in 1977, month and date of birth should be BEFORE current date. If not, return to S1.)

Gender of Selected Respondent:

Male 1

Female 2

Screener Interviewer ID

DATE OF SCREENING / (Month/Day)