Abstract
HIV/AIDS stigma is a frequently cited barrier to HIV prevention, including voluntary counseling and testing. A reliable and valid measurement instrument is critical to empirically assess the extent and effects of HIV/AIDS stigma. The paper reports the development and psychometric testing of an HIV/AIDS stigma scale among 200 men in India. The resulting 24-item scale and the four subscales had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha overall was 0.81; subscales were 0.86, 0.73, 0.72 and 0.76, respectively). The scale and distinct subscales suggest a valid and reliable measure for HIV/AIDS stigma in a setting with highly prevalent HIV risk behaviors.
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Acknowledgments
The Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE) provided the infrastructure, operational and logistical support for this study. This study was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (U10 MH61543) to the Johns Hopkins University, and by the Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM), 2006 Lawrence S. Linn Research Award.
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Zelaya, C.E., Sivaram, S., Johnson, S.C. et al. HIV/AIDS Stigma: Reliability and Validity of a New Measurement Instrument in Chennai, India. AIDS Behav 12, 781–788 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-007-9331-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-007-9331-7