Using Mobile Phones to Collect Daily Diary Data on Sexual Activity among Young People in the Philippines: Acceptability and Consistency of Reporting

Michelle J. Hindin, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Mitali Thakor, Massachussets Institute of Technology (MIT)
Socorro A. Gultiano, University of San Carlos

Reporting of sexual activity and use of modern contraception among young adults in the Philippines are low. To date nearly all surveys on sexual health of Filipinos have been done with face-to-face interviews, despite growing evidence that other survey methods, especially those using familiar technologies, may elicit more responses about sensitive behaviors. Mobile phone-based data collection software was used to survey 32 young adults from the 1984 CLHNS birth cohort on daily sexual activity and mood. Participants were also interviewed using traditional face-to-face and paper-based techniques. Female respondents showed greater inconsistency than males across survey modalities, as well as generally low reported rates of sexual activity across the study time period. The gender differences in reporting prompt further inquiry into the cultural and religious context of the Cebu region.