Measuring HIV felt stigma: a culturally adapted scale targeting PLWHA in Puerto Rico

Abstract

The objective of this study was to culturally adapt and validate a scale to measure HIV-related felt stigma in a group of People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Puerto Rico. The researchers conducted a two-phase cross-sectional study with 216 participants (60, first phase; 156, second phase). The first phase consisted of the cultural adaptation of the scale; the second evaluated its psychometric properties. After conducting a factor analysis, a 17-item scale, the HIV Felt-Stigma Scale (HFSS), resulted. Participants completed the Puerto Rico Comprehensive Center for the Study of Health Disparities Socio-demographic Questionnaire, the HFSS, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the Sexual Abuse dimension of the History of Abuse Questionnaire; the case managers completed the Case Manager Stigma Guide with subjects. The HFSS measures four dimensions: personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, negative self-image, and concern with public attitudes. The alpha and Pearson correlation coefficients (0.91 and 0.68, respectively) indicated satisfactory validity and reliability; the scale suggested adequate convergent validity. The HFSS is a culturally sensitive instrument that fills the existing gap in the measurement of felt stigma in Spanish-speaking PLWHA.

Keywords:

• HIV Felt-Stigma Scale
• felt stigma
• Puerto Ricans living with HIV/AIDS
• psychometric properties

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Comprehensive Center of Health Disparities of Puerto Rico (PR-CCHD), Grant NCRR 1-U54RR019507. The authors wish to thank Ryan White agencies of Puerto Rico southern area, case manager, and staff for their collaboration during the data collection phase. Our special thanks to all the participants of this study. Also, a special thanks to Mr. Bob Richie for assisting in the manuscript's edition.