Description

The Sexual Risk Behavior Survey (SRBS) is a self-administered assessment instrument designed to evaluate sexual behaviours, preventive practices, and factors associated with increased sexual risk. The questionnaire aims to capture behavioural patterns related to sexual health and identify factors that may contribute to vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other adverse sexual health outcomes.

The SRBS includes mainly closed-ended multiple-choice questions, as well as selected open-ended questions, allowing the collection of quantitative and qualitative information regarding sexual activity. The questionnaire examines aspects such as number of sexual partners, type of sexual intercourse, use of condoms or other protective methods, alcohol or substance use before or during sexual activity, and access to sexual education and information.

The instrument is designed to be anonymous and brief, requiring approximately five to seven minutes for completion, making it suitable for use in population-based studies, educational settings, and health research.

Objective

The primary objective of the Sexual Risk Behavior Survey is to reliably assess sexual habits, preventive behaviours, and risk factors associated with sexual health outcomes.

The SRBS aims to identify behavioural patterns related to sexual risk, evaluate factors influencing protective practices, and provide evidence that can support the development of prevention strategies, educational programs, and public health interventions.

Structure and Content

The SRBS evaluates multiple domains related to sexual risk behaviour, including sexual activity patterns, number and characteristics of sexual partners, sexual practices, use of protective measures such as condoms, and contextual factors that may influence sexual decision-making.

The questionnaire also assesses behavioural factors associated with increased risk, including alcohol or substance use in relation to sexual activity, as well as access to information and sexual health education.

Data Analysis and Use

Data collected through the SRBS can be analysed to examine sexual behaviour patterns and identify factors associated with increased risk.

Statistical analysis may include descriptive methods such as frequencies, percentages, and distributions of responses. Inferential analyses may include Chi-square tests for examining associations between categorical variables and logistic regression models for identifying predictors of higher-risk sexual behaviours.

The collected information can be used for research purposes to describe behavioural patterns within populations, for clinical purposes to assess individual risk profiles and design targeted interventions, and for educational purposes to develop prevention and awareness programs.

Results are typically presented in aggregated form without personal identifiers, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with ethical standards and data protection principles.

Scoring Method and Calibration

The SRBS primarily uses categorical and frequency-based responses to assess sexual behaviours and preventive practices. Depending on the research design, responses may be transformed into behavioural indicators or risk scores.

The calibration of the instrument requires appropriate cultural and linguistic adaptation when used in different populations. For the Greek version, translation and back-translation procedures by independent translators are recommended, followed by pilot testing to evaluate comprehension and suitability.

Psychometric evaluation may include internal consistency analysis using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, test–retest reliability assessment, and examination of construct validity.

Validity

The SRBS has been used internationally to evaluate sexual risk behaviours and associated preventive practices across different populations.

Validity assessment focuses on whether the questionnaire accurately captures sexual behaviours, risk factors, and prevention-related practices. Evaluation may include comparison with established sexual health indicators and examination of relationships with relevant behavioural and demographic variables.

Reliability

Reliability assessment of the SRBS focuses on the consistency and stability of responses across items and measurement occasions.

Previous applications of sexual risk behaviour assessment instruments have demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency, with reported Cronbach’s alpha coefficients above 0.80 for major scales. Test–retest procedures may also be used to evaluate temporal stability.

Applications

The Sexual Risk Behavior Survey can be applied in epidemiological research, sexual health studies, prevention programs, adolescent and young adult health research, clinical risk assessment, and evaluation of public health interventions.

The instrument provides valuable information for understanding sexual behaviours, improving health education strategies, and designing evidence-based approaches for reducing sexually transmitted infections and promoting safer sexual practices.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Sexual Risk Behavior Survey (SRBS) – Technical Report. CDC.

DiClemente, R. J., Salazar, L. F., & Crosby, R. A. (2019). Health Behavior Theory for Public Health: Principles, Foundations, and Applications. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

World Health Organization. (2016). Global Health Sector Strategy on Sexually Transmitted Infections 2016–2021. Geneva: World Health Organization.

Allen, L., et al. (2017). Measuring sexual behavior in adolescents: A review of current instruments. Journal of Adolescent Health, 60(6), 664–671.