Unpacking the black box of latent class analysis using qualitative life history interviews: A data-linked explanatory approach examining sexual behavior in rural South Africa
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUNDSexual behaviors are determined by present-day factors and past/future considerations.Previous work utilizing latent class analysis on a population-based cross-sectional survey of rural South Africans aged 15-plus showed how sexual behaviors cluster in distinct population subgroups (Class 1: Single with consistent protective behaviors; Class 2: Risky behaviors; Class 3: In union with lack of protective behaviors) and their associations with age, sex, and HIV status. OBJECTIVEExpanding upon this work, we advance a novel mixed methods approach -data-linked explanatory analysis -to demonstrate how nested qualitative life history interviews (LHIs) with survey participants can be used to account for population patterns in studies utilizing person-centered techniques to classify health behaviors.
Source: Demographic Research
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Awards: Strengthening and stabilising a demographic and health surveillance in Agincourt: foundation for a health and population research programme in South Africa's rural northeast, Partnership for Social Science AIDS Research in South African's Era of ART Rollou, G2563538044, Health, population and social transitions in rural Southern Africa: Elucidating pathways and testing interventions., Preventing cardiometabolic diseases in Africa: life-course and multi-sector approaches., G4469057728, Investigating and responding to health, population and social transitions in rural Southern Africa., Health, population and social transitions in rural Southern Africa: Elucidating pathways and testing interventions., G7923275117, G8186070293, G8276714428
OpenAlex ID: W4413275609