Skip to main content

Table 2 Summary of the main sections of the baseline and follow up questionnaires

From: The Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer (SPANC): design and methods of a three-year prospective cohort study

Section

Examples of variables

Measures and standardized scales

Socio-demographics

Age, country of birth, ethnicity, relationship status, accommodation status, employment status, income

Adapted from the Health in Men [15] and Positive Health [16] studies

Sexual practices

Sexual identity

Adapted from Health in Men and Positive Health studies [15, 16]

Age at first receptive anal intercourse:

Gay community periodic surveys [17, 18]

Number of lifetime insertive and receptive anal partners (with and without a condom)

Lifetime number of female partners

Preferred position during anal sex (receptive or insertive)

Number of insertive and receptive anal partners (with and without a condom) in the previous six months

Frequency of fingering, fisting and insertion of toys and other objects in the previous six months

Gay social engagement

Time spent with gay/homosexual friends

Gay community periodic surveys [19]

Disclosure of sexuality to friends/family

Number of gay friends

Involvement with gay community

Health and lifestyle

Smoking status

45 and Up study [20]

Alcohol and drug use

History of health problems (lifetime and in the last month)

History of depression and anxiety

Physical activity

General health

Section

Examples of Variables

Measures and Standardized Scales

Anal health

History and frequency of anal douching

Adapted from the Blokes with Anal Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (BASIL) study [21]

History of STIs

Anal symptoms

HPV knowledge

Psychosocial evaluation

Generic measure of health related quality of life

SF36 v2 (Australian) [22]

Disease specific distress associated with diagnosis of SIL

Cervical Dysplasia Distress and Screening questionnaires (modified) [23, 24]

Generic measures of distress

Distress thermometer [24]

Worry about developing anal cancer Perception of risk of anal cancer

Cancer worry [24]

Frequency of thinking about the tests

Perceived risk of cancer Intrusive thoughts [25]

Psychosexual health

HIV-positive status specific

Length of HIV infection

Positive Health study [16]

Viral load

Most recent CD4-Tcell count

Nadir CD4-Tcell count

Type of antiretroviral medication

Length of time on antiretroviral medication

History of AIDS associated illness

Procedure related feedback

Post procedure pain and bleeding

 

Length of pain and bleeding

Discomfort associated with the procedures

Other

Reason for joining study

Adapted from Health In Men and positive Health studies [15, 16]

Source of recruitment