The reliability of surrogate information about oral contraceptive use, smoking, height and weight collected from men about their wives

Abstract

Ninety-nine female hospital patients and their husbands were asked to complete separate questionnaires about the woman's history of using oral contraceptives as well as her height, weight and cigarette smoking habits. The questionnaires were completed in the presence of a research nurse to ensure that there was no discussion. Reports of height, weight and smoking status showed a good agreement between the women and their husbands. Husbands usually reported accurately on whether the woman was a current or past user of oral contraceptives, but most of them were unable to name the brand of oral contraceptive that was used, or give an estimate of the duration of use.

PIP: 99 female hospital patients and their husbands were asked to complete separate questionnaires about the woman's history of using oral contraceptives as well as her height, weight and cigarette smoking habits. The questionnaires were completed in the presence of a research nurse to ensure that there was no discussion. Reports of height, weight and smoking status showed a good agreement between the women and their husbands. Husbands usually reported accurately on whether the woman was a current or past user of oral contraceptives, but most of them were unable to name the brand of oral contraceptive that was used, or give an estimate of the duration of use. The participants were currently married woman aged between 20 and 40 years admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, England, between September 1987 and April 1988, who were suffering from conditions not known to be connected in any way with contraceptive method.