Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

An R-Based Landscape Validation of a Competing Risk Model
Published on: September 16, 2022
Measuring cervical cancer risk: development and validation of the CARE Risky Sexual Behavior Index
Paul L Reiter1, Mira L Katz, Amy K Ferketich
1Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. preiter@email.unc.edu
Objectives:
To develop and validate a risky sexual behavior index specific to cervical cancer research.
Methods:
Sexual behavior data on 428 women from the Community Awareness Resources and Education (CARE) study were utilized. A weighting scheme for eight risky sexual behaviors was generated and validated in creating the CARE Risky Sexual Behavior Index. Cutpoints were then identified to classify women as having a low, medium, or high level of risky sexual behavior.
Results:
Index scores ranged from 0 to 35, with women considered to have a low level of risky sexual behavior if their score was less than six (31.3% of sample), a medium level if their score was 6–10 (30.6%), or a high level if their score was 11 or greater (38.1%). A strong association was observed between the created categories and having a previous abnormal Pap smear test (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
The CARE Risky Sexual Behavior Index provides a tool for measuring risky sexual behavior level for cervical cancer research. Future studies are needed to validate this index in varied populations and test its use in the clinical setting.
Related Concept Videos
Amebiasis
Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Relative Risk
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
