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Development and psychometric evaluation of the patient’s HIV knowledge questionnaire (PHKQ)

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International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background Valid and reliable instruments for measuring knowledge about human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) among people living with the virus are necessary to identify knowledge gaps and evaluate effectiveness or outcomes of education programmes. However such instruments are scarce, particularly in developing countries. Objective This study aimed to develop and validate a self-administered instrument for measuring HIV-related knowledge among people living with HIV in Nigeria. Setting This study was conducted in the HIV/AIDS clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Methods The Patient’s HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (PHKQ) items, designed with response choices of ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘don’t know’, were developed based on relevant literature and similar published studies. Face and content validity were established. Evidence of construct validity was established by factor analysis and group differences. Factor analysis was done using principal components and varimax rotation with Kaiser Normalization. Estimates of reliability were evaluated using internal consistency approach (with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient) as well as the test–retest method for estimating the stability of the PHKQ scores over time (with Pearson’s r). Main outcome measure Validity/reliability of the Patient’s HIV Knowledge Questionnaire. Result Response rate in this study was 95.0%. Item analysis of the 20-item instrument resulted in the deletion of 5 items; thus the final instrument consists of 15 items. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the scale was 0.77, while test–retest reliability was 0.80 (p < 0.001). Factor analysis resulted in 3 components—Transmission and Misconceptions, Causes and Treatment Outcomes, and Diet and Immunity—with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.70, 0.56 and 0.46 respectively. The Patient’s HIV Knowledge Questionnaire differentiated between newly diagnosed (≤ 1 year) individuals and those with at least 10 years since HIV diagnosis, and also between those with only primary education and those who had had up to tertiary education (p < 0.001). Conclusion The Patient’s HIV Knowledge Questionnaire appears to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing HIV-related knowledge among people living with HIV in Nigeria. Further studies are needed to explore the instrument’s responsiveness to change, and to evaluate its psychometrics in different settings.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr John Ekott, the coordinator of the HIV clinic, UUTH; Dr Obazee, the physician in charge of the HIV clinic, UPTH; our research assistants—Helen N., Ebere O., Margaret O. and Idongesit V., as well as all the patients who responded to the survey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

    Idongesit L. Jackson

  2. Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

    Jegbefume M. Okonta & Chinwe V. Ukwe

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  1. Idongesit L. Jackson
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  2. Jegbefume M. Okonta
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  3. Chinwe V. Ukwe
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Correspondence to Idongesit L. Jackson.

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Appendix

Appendix

The patients’ HIV knowledge questionnaire (PHKQ)

Item

Correct answer

Causes and treatment outcomes

 

1. HIV infection is caused by bacteria

No

2. HIV infection is caused by evil spirits

No

3. HIV infection can be cured after taking HIV drugs for a long time

No

4. Viral load greater than 1000 copies/mL is bad

Yes

5. Drugs for HIV cause a decrease in viral load

Yes

Transmission and misconceptions

 

6. Coughing and sneezing do not spread HIV

Yes

7. Someone who is taking drugs for HIV cannot transmit HIV to another person if he/she engages in risky behaviours (for example, unprotected sex, sharing needles)

No

8. Everyone who has HIV also has AIDS

No

9. Exercise is not safe for people living with HIV

No

10.When viral load result shows that the level of HIV is not detectable in the blood of an HIV positive individual, drugs for HIV can be discontinued

No

11. An HIV positive individual on drugs for HIV does not need to take the drugs everyday if there are no major symptoms

No

12. Laboratory tests are not necessary to tell whether my drugs are working or not

No

Diet and immunity

 

13. CD4 count less than 100 cells/µL is good for a person with HIV

No

14. If a person with HIV infection does not take drugs for HIV, his/her CD4cell count will continue to decrease

Yes

15. The diet of a person with HIV consists mostly of special foods

No

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Jackson, I.L., Okonta, J.M. & Ukwe, C.V. Development and psychometric evaluation of the patient’s HIV knowledge questionnaire (PHKQ). Int J Clin Pharm 42, 695–702 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-020-00963-z

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