Audio Computer-assisted Self-interviewing (ACASI)
Population Council researchers and information technology specialists have developed software for interviewees responding to sensitive questions.
In a school-based study of adolescents in Malawi, sensitive interview questions are being asked using ACASI on handheld PCs.
Photo: Paul Hewett/Population Council
What is ACASI? Audio computer-assisted self-interviewing is an innovative technology that allows for increased privacy and standardization in interviews. Using ACASI, a respondent listens to prerecorded questions from a computer through headphones and records his/her responses using a touch screen or key pad. The respondent may or may not simultaneously read the questions from the computer screen. The Population Council has developed its own software to make use of this technology.
What are some of the benefits and features of ACASI? ACASI can accommodate many question/response types (see Details for more information). The technology is supported by PDA and tablet/laptop computers for more flexibility in research design. ACASI also offers the following advantages:
- Standardization: Questions are asked in the same way across interviews.
- Confidentiality: Responses are given silently and privately.
- Linguistic flexibility: ACASI can be used with literate or illiterate populations; currently ACASI is configured for use in 21 languages and dialects (see Details for more information). The Council's software allows for adapting the technology for use in other languages as well.
- Security: Data from interviews are automatically stored in a database and encrypted.
How is ACASI being used currently? ACASI has been used in a variety of surveys, clinical trials, and studies, including:
- Safety and effectiveness study of two microbicide candidates (Malawi; Microbicides Trial Network; click on Details tab)
- Safety and efficacy study of oral versus topical pre-exposure prophylaxis (multinational; Microbicides Trial Network; click on Details tab)
- Phase 3 clinical trial of a one-year vaginal ring (multinational; Population Council)
- Research to assess and improve the measurement of sexual behaviors (Malawi, South Africa, Uganda; Population Council)
- School-based longitudinal study of adolescents (Malawi; Population Council)
- Simulated clinical trial to explore willingness to participate and methods for improving reporting of adherence (India; Population Council)
What services does the Population Council offer? With almost ten years of experience developing and using ACASI, Council technical staff members have extensive knowledge adapting the software to fit various research studies.
- Software customization to best support scientists' requirements.
- Training for all new ACASI users.
- Support during piloting to ensure efficient clinical use of the technology.
- Troubleshooting by expert technicians.
ACASI devices can accommodate many different types of questions and responses, including:
- Questions allowing for a Yes/No response
- Questions allowing for a Yes/No/Maybe response
- Questions where participants:
- respond by choosing among color-coded options or numbered options
- click on a graphic to respond
- click on a graphic multiple times to indicate the number of times something occurred
- click on a graphic calendar to describe behavior over a seven-day period
- click on a simple calendar that moves from day to day to respond
- click on a dialpad (similar to a telephone dialpad) to respond
ACASI has already been configured for use in 21 languages and dialects, including:
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"ACASI software technical notes," brochure (PDF)
Mierzwa,Stan; Souidi,Samir
Publication date: 2009
"Audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI)," fact sheet (PDF)
Mierzwa,Stan; Souidi,Samir
Publication date: 2009
"Improving public health through software" (PDF)
Mierzwa,Stan; Souidi,Samir
Publication date: 2009
Population Council computerized interviewing technology workshop (PDF)
Special workshop at the XXVI IUSSP International Population Conference, Marrakech, 27 September-2 October
Mierzwa,Stan; Souidi,Samir
Publication date: 2009
Use of computer-assisted self-interview to assess product use in microbicide trials: Lessons learned in HPTN 035 (PDF)
Poster presentation at the 18th International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research (ISSTDR), London, 28 June-1 July
McVarish,L.; Gorbach,Pamina M.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Coly,Astou; Young,A.; Masse,Benoit R.; Makanani,Bonus; Chinula,Lameck; Nkhoma,Chiwawa; Tembo,T.; Mierzwa,Stan; Reynolds,Kimberly; Hurst,Stacey; Coletti,Anne S.; Forsyth,Andrew
Publication date: 2009
"ACASI: Software for audio computer-assisted self-interviewing," brochure (PDF)
Mierzwa,Stan; Souidi,Samir
Publication date: 2008
Assessing the reporting of adherence and sexual activity in a simulated microbicide trial: Preliminary results from an interview mode experiment in the Phase 3 Carraguard® sites, South Africa (PDF)
Poster presented at Microbicides 2008, New Delhi, 24-27 February
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Rankin,Johanna; Littlefield,Sarah A.; Abbott,Sharon; Ahmed,Khatija; Cassim,Nazira; Patel,Smruti; Mehlomakulu,Vuyelwa; Ramjee,Gita; Palanee,Thesla; Skoler,Stephanie; Gehret,Marlena; Govender,Sumentheran N.
Publication date: 2008
Computerized interviewing validated in Brazil (PDF)
Population Briefs 14(2)
Publication date: 2008
Consistency in women's reports of sensitive behavior in an interview mode experiment, Sáo Paulo, Brazil (abstract) (HTML)
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Jones,Heidi E.; Luppi,Carla Gianni; Lippman,Sheri A.; Pinho,Adriana A.; Diaz,Juan
International Family Planning Perspectives 34(4): 169-176
Publication date: 2008
Population Council computerized interviewing technology workshop (PDF)
Special workshop at the Population Association of America 2008 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, 17 April
Mierzwa,Stan
Publication date: 2008
Sexual behavior and STI/HIV status among adolescents in rural Malawi: An evaluation of the effect of interview mode on reporting (abstract)
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Gregory,Richard; Helleringer,Stephane
Studies in Family Planning 39(4): 321-334
Publication date: 2008
Sexual behavior and STI/HIV status among adolescents in rural Malawi: An evaluation of the effect of interview mode on reporting (PDF)
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Gregory,Richard; Helleringer,Stephane
Poverty, Gender, and Youth Working Paper (no. 8)
Publication date: 2008
The contribution of behavioral research to microbicide trials: Taking stock (PDF)
Plenary address at Microbicides 2008, New Delhi, 24-27 February
Mensch,Barbara S.
Publication date: 2008
Using sexually transmitted infection (STI) biomarkers to validate the reporting of sexual behavior within a randomized experimental evaluation of interviewing methods (abstract)
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; de A.Ribeiro,Manoel Carlos; Jones,Heidi E.; Lippman,Sheri A.; Montgomery,Mark R.; van de Wijgert,Janneke
American Journal of Epidemiology 168(2): 202-211
Publication date: 2008
Obtaining more accurate and reliable information from adolescents regarding STI/HIV risk behaviors (PDF)
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.
Promoting Healthy, Safe, and Productive Transitions to Adulthood Brief (no. 25)
Publication date: 2007
A pilot of audio computer-assisted self-interview for youth reproductive health research in Vietnam (abstract)
Le,Linh Cu; Blum,Robert W.; Magnani,Robert; Hewett,Paul C.; Hoa Mai Do
Journal of Adolescent Health 38(6): 740-747
Publication date: 2006
Consistency in the reporting of sexual behaviour by adolescent girls in Kenya: A comparison of interviewing methods (abstract)
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Erulkar,Annabel S.
Sexually Transmitted Infections 80(suppl 2): ii43-ii48
Publication date: 2004
Measuring induced abortion in Mexico: A comparison of four methodologies (abstract)
Lara,Diana K.; Strickler,Jennifer; Diaz-Olavarrieta,Claudia; Ellertson,Charlotte
Sociological Methods and Research 32(4): 529-558
Publication date: 2004
Consistency in the reporting of sexual behavior among adolescent girls in Kenya: A comparison of interviewing methods (PDF)
Hewett,Paul C.; Mensch,Barbara S.; Erulkar,Annabel S.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 182)
Publication date: 2003
The feasibility of computer-assisted survey interviewing in Africa: Experience from two rural districts in Kenya. (PDF)
Hewett,Paul C.; Erulkar,Annabel S.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 168)
Publication date: 2003
The reporting of sensitive behavior by adolescents: A methodological experiment in Kenya (abstract)
Mensch,Barbara S.; Hewett,Paul C.; Erulkar,Annabel S.
Demography 40(2): 247-268
Publication date: 2003
Project Stats
Location: Global
No program information for this project
Topic(s):
Adolescence/transitions to adulthood
Microbicides
Sexuality and sexual behavior
Vulnerable populations
Duration: 1/1999 - ongoing
Population Council researchers:
Irene Friedland
Stanley Mierzwa
Craig J Savel
Samir Souidi
Non-Council collaborators:
Centre for Education Research and Training, University of Malawi, Zomba
Family Health International (FHI)
Guttmacher Institute
International Partnership for Microbicides
Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI)
Microbicide Trials Network
National Institutes of Health
RTI International
Statistical Center for HIV/AIDS Research & Prevention (SCHARP)
Uganda Bureau of Statistics
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Pennsylvania
Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education
Zambia-Emory HIV Research Project (ZEHRP)
Donors:
Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI)
National Institutes of Health
Population Services International (PSI)
Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
The Spencer Foundation
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
US Agency for International Development
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