Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (Feb 2019)

Reliability, Validity, and Factor Structure of the Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale in Southern India

  • Brian T. Chan MD, MPH,
  • Amrose Pradeep MBBS,
  • Ezhilarasi Chandrasekaran MSc,
  • Lakshmi Prasad MA,
  • Vinothini Murugesan MSW,
  • Nagalingeswaran Kumarasamy MBBS, PhD,
  • Kenneth H. Mayer MD,
  • Alexander C. Tsai MD, PhD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2325958219831025
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18

Abstract

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We used data from 660 people living with HIV in southern India to evaluate the reliability, validity, and factor structure of the Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale. Exploratory factor analysis revealed the presence of 2 factors: a 2-item factor related to disclosure concerns and a 4-item factor related to self-hatred. The self-hatred factor demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach α = .80). As evidence of construct validity, both factors were correlated with depression symptom severity as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Further study is needed to understand the correlates of these factors and their impact on the Indian HIV care continuum.