Effects of a detailed sexual behavior interview on perceived risk of HIV infection: preliminary experimental analysis in a high risk sample.

Effects of the HIV-Risk Timeline Followback Interview (TLFB), which uses detailed memory cues to assess retrospectively sexual behavior and substance use on a day-by-day basis, on HIV risk-reduction motivation were tested. Thirty-four adults (76% male, 100% African American) were randomly assigned to three interview conditions: (a) HIV-Risk TLFB Interview, (b) 27 sexual behavior frequency questions, and (c) diet and nutrition using the TLFB format. Participants completed measures of HIV risk-reduction motivation immediately before and after the experimental assessment component. The a priori hypotheses that the HIV-Risk TLFB group would exhibit greater increases on indices of HIV risk reduction motivation than participants in either of the other two groups and that participants in the nutrition interview condition would exhibit greater increases in motivation for dietary improvement were supported, indicating that participating in detailed health behavior interviews, but not cursory assessments, may lead to increased motivation for behavior change.