Development and Validation of an HIV/AIDS Empowerment Scale for Impact Intervention Evaluation. An Example from the MAKASI Intervention

ABSTRACT

Background

The MAKASI intervention aimed to empower sub-Saharan immigrants living in the Paris metropolitan area regarding sexual health and reduce their HIV exposure. The intervention was developed based upon a theoretical model of individual empowerment.

Purpose

A scale was developed using sixteen 4-point Likert items adapted from existing tools to measure HIV/AIDS  empowerment as an intervention outcome. This study describes the psychometric validation of this scale.

Methods

Data from 433 participants were used. Construct validity and internal consistency were assessed using factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α). The scale’s predictive validity for health and social outcomes was assessed using bivariable logistic regressions.

Results

Five dimensions were identified: i) sexual communication; ii) perceived control at the individual level; iii) knowledge of HIV treatment and social resources; iv) ability to find and understand healthcare information; and v) ability to understand and use disease prevention messages. The internal consistency (α = 0.71) and predictive validity (p < .05) were satisfactory.

Discussion

The scale was relevant with respect to the target population characteristics and the intervention aims.

Translation to Health Education Practice

Tailoring existing tools to new interventions may aid the development of context-relevant tools and prevent the unnecessary proliferation of indicators.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the persons who participated in the Makasi study. The MAKASI Study Group included Annabel Desgrées du Loû, Nicolas Derche, Flore Gubert, Romain Mbiribindi, Maria Melchior (scientific coordinators), Séverine Carillon, Karna Coulibaly, Angèle Delbe, Jacques Ebongue, Fabienne El Khoury, Charles Gaywahali, Anne Gosselin, Veroska Kohou, France Lert, Belinda Lutonadio, Eve Plenel, Laura Maspeyrat, Patricia Mbiribindi, Thierry Miatti, Jean-Paul Ngueya, Andrainolo Ravalihasy, Valéry Ridde, Corinne Taéron, Faya Tess, Jean Voza Lusilu, Iris Zoumenou and the Makasi group of peers.

Disclosure statement

We declare no competing interests.

Ethical clearance

The study was approved by the French Data Protection Authority (Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés, CNIL, declaration n°2215270) and the Committee for Persons’ Protection (Comité de protection des personnes, ID RCB 2018-A02129–46).

Additional information

Funding

The MAKASI intervention was supported by the French National Agency for research on AIDS and Viral hepatitis (ANRS) and Health regional agency. The sponsor of the study had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation or writing of the paper.