Does prior recall of past week alcohol use affect screening results for at-risk drinking? Findings from a randomized study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217595
• Publication Date: 2019-06-04T17:28:22Z
• Authors: Andreas Staudt; Jennis Freyer-Adam; Christian Meyer; Gallus Bischof; Ulrich John; Sophie Baumann
• Keywords: Affect

Underreporting of alcohol consumption is one the major challenges in survey research including self-reports. The aim this study was to test whether underreporting can be reduced by prompting respondents first reflect on their drinking past week and then answer quantity-frequency based screening questions typical use. Data come from 2,379 adults (54% female; mean age = 31.8 years, SD 11.4 years) consecutively recruited at a local registration office northeastern Germany. Participants responded an electronic, self-administered questionnaire different health behaviors. They were randomized receiving Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) either before or after assessment timeline follow-back questions. Logistic regression models calculated predicting positive results for at-risk drinking. Potential interaction effects with gender, educational background explored. Results show that prior AUDIT-C odds obtaining (OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.70-0.99). There no background. As secondary finding, participants reported consistently lower measure administered later questionnaire. Preceding about probability Our findings suggest people recall use may not solution reduce underreporting.