Evidence for the reliability and validity of the internalized aids-related stigma scale in rural Uganda

Alexander C. Tsai; Sheri D. Weiser; Wayne T. Steward; Nozmo F.B. Mukiibi; Annet Kawuma; Annet Kembabazi; Conrad Muzoora; Peter W. Hunt; Jeffrey N. Martin; David R. Bangsberg

doi:10.1007/s10461-012-0281-3

Evidence for the reliability and validity of the internalized aids-related stigma scale in rural Uganda

Alexander C. Tsai
, Sheri D. Weiser
, Wayne T. Steward
, Nozmo F.B. Mukiibi
, Annet Kawuma
, Annet Kembabazi
, Conrad Muzoora
, Peter W. Hunt
, Jeffrey N. Martin
, David R. Bangsberg

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

HIV infection remains highly stigmatized throughout sub-Saharan Africa despite the increasing availability of treatment. HIV-related stigma is commonly described to be highly prevalent in East Africa, but none of these studies have employed validated scales for measurement. We used data from 456 people living with HIV/AIDS in rural Uganda to validate the six-item Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale. The scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.73) and time stability. Exploratory factor analysis indicated the presence of a single factor. Construct validity was supported by observations that the scale was correlated with related constructs such as depression and mental health-related quality of life. The scale was able to discriminate between groups of persons who were different in terms of treatment status and their experience of HIV-related self-blame. Taken together, these findings suggest that the Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale may be a useful tool for socio-behavioral HIV research.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	427-433
Number of pages	7
Journal	AIDS and Behavior
Volume	17
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0281-3
State	Published - Jan 2013
Externally published	Yes

Funding

Funding The study was funded by U.S. National Institutes of Health R01 MH-054907, K23 MH-79713, and P30 AI27763. The authors acknowledge the following additional sources of salary support: the Burke Family Foundation, K23 MH-096620, and K24 MH-087227.

Funders	Funder number
U.S. National Institutes of Health	P30 AI27763, K23 MH-79713, R01 MH-054907
National Institutes of Health National Institute of Mental Health	K23MH096620

Keywords

HIV
Social stigma
Uganda

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Social Psychology
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Infectious Diseases

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10.1007/s10461-012-0281-3

Cite this

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title = "Evidence for the reliability and validity of the internalized aids-related stigma scale in rural Uganda",

abstract = "HIV infection remains highly stigmatized throughout sub-Saharan Africa despite the increasing availability of treatment. HIV-related stigma is commonly described to be highly prevalent in East Africa, but none of these studies have employed validated scales for measurement. We used data from 456 people living with HIV/AIDS in rural Uganda to validate the six-item Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale. The scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.73) and time stability. Exploratory factor analysis indicated the presence of a single factor. Construct validity was supported by observations that the scale was correlated with related constructs such as depression and mental health-related quality of life. The scale was able to discriminate between groups of persons who were different in terms of treatment status and their experience of HIV-related self-blame. Taken together, these findings suggest that the Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale may be a useful tool for socio-behavioral HIV research.",

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note = "Funding Information: Funding The study was funded by U.S. National Institutes of Health R01 MH-054907, K23 MH-79713, and P30 AI27763. The authors acknowledge the following additional sources of salary support: the Burke Family Foundation, K23 MH-096620, and K24 MH-087227.",

year = "2013",

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doi = "10.1007/s10461-012-0281-3",

language = "English (US)",

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AU - Weiser, Sheri D.

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AU - Mukiibi, Nozmo F.B.

AU - Kawuma, Annet

AU - Kembabazi, Annet

AU - Muzoora, Conrad

AU - Hunt, Peter W.

AU - Martin, Jeffrey N.

AU - Bangsberg, David R.

N1 - Funding Information: Funding The study was funded by U.S. National Institutes of Health R01 MH-054907, K23 MH-79713, and P30 AI27763. The authors acknowledge the following additional sources of salary support: the Burke Family Foundation, K23 MH-096620, and K24 MH-087227.

PY - 2013/1

Y1 - 2013/1

N2 - HIV infection remains highly stigmatized throughout sub-Saharan Africa despite the increasing availability of treatment. HIV-related stigma is commonly described to be highly prevalent in East Africa, but none of these studies have employed validated scales for measurement. We used data from 456 people living with HIV/AIDS in rural Uganda to validate the six-item Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale. The scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.73) and time stability. Exploratory factor analysis indicated the presence of a single factor. Construct validity was supported by observations that the scale was correlated with related constructs such as depression and mental health-related quality of life. The scale was able to discriminate between groups of persons who were different in terms of treatment status and their experience of HIV-related self-blame. Taken together, these findings suggest that the Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale may be a useful tool for socio-behavioral HIV research.

AB - HIV infection remains highly stigmatized throughout sub-Saharan Africa despite the increasing availability of treatment. HIV-related stigma is commonly described to be highly prevalent in East Africa, but none of these studies have employed validated scales for measurement. We used data from 456 people living with HIV/AIDS in rural Uganda to validate the six-item Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale. The scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.73) and time stability. Exploratory factor analysis indicated the presence of a single factor. Construct validity was supported by observations that the scale was correlated with related constructs such as depression and mental health-related quality of life. The scale was able to discriminate between groups of persons who were different in terms of treatment status and their experience of HIV-related self-blame. Taken together, these findings suggest that the Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale may be a useful tool for socio-behavioral HIV research.

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Evidence for the reliability and validity of the internalized aids-related stigma scale in rural Uganda

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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