Paper
Thursday, 20 July 2006
This presentation is part of : Research Theoretical and Methodological Strategies
Comparison of Response Patterns for Sexual Knowledge Post-MI Using a “Don't Know” Option
Elaine E. Steinke, RN, PhD, School of Nursing, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA and David W. Wright, PhD, Sociology, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA.
Learning Objective #1: Examine methodological issues in using "true," "false," and "don't know" responses for questionnaires measuring knowledge.
Learning Objective #2: Discuss demographic and clinical variables that influence responses on a questionnaire measuring knowledge about sexual activity after MI.
Background:  Instruments that specifically measure knowledge in resuming sexual activity after MI are unavailable.  We used responses of “true,” “false,” and “don’t know.” Including “don’t know” responses is useful for sensitive topics and to identify items requiring greater cognitive effort.

Objective: 1) To compare response patterns on the Sex After MI Knowledge Test to selected demographic and clinical variables.

Methods:  Data were derived from a randomized controlled trial of 115 post-MI patients, compared at pre-test and 1 month. The 25-item Sex after MI Knowledge Test measured knowledge about resuming sex post-MI, using “true,” “false,” or “don’t know” responses. The nominal variable was converted to 3 binaries (0,1) for each response and was examined for significant differences among subgroups using ANOVA.

Findings:  At pre-test (N=115), 52% of participants responded correctly, 38.4% “don’t know,” and 9.4% incorrectly to knowledge items. Males had significantly (p<.05) more incorrect responses than females (10.7% vs. 4.2%), as did those age 45 to 59 (p<.05).  Those with a college degree tended to answer correctly, indicating more knowledge (p<.05).  Many participants reported “don’t know” responses, although insignificant across response sets. Improved knowledge occurred at 1 month post-MI; 74% responded correctly, 17% “don’t know,” and 9.1% incorrectly responded, reflecting increased knowledge and less unsure responses. A comparison between pre-test and 1 month revealed significant differences between genders for incorrect responses at both time periods (p<.05). As expected, those with prior MI had more correct responses at the pre-test (p<.05).  Overall, knowledge increased significantly from pre-test to 1 month.

Conclusions:  Variations in patterns of knowledge about return to sexual activity post-MI occurred by type of response and gender, age, education, ethnicity, and prior MI. A greater percentage of “don’t know” responses occurred at baseline, with improved knowledge at 1 month. Further research to better understand variations in responses is needed.

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