Psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the 10-item Berger's stigma scale in Colombia: a validation study

Abstract

Introduction: HIV-related stigma is detrimental to people living with HIV (PLH), and reducing it is essential for achieving an HIV/AIDS-free generation. Abbreviated stigma scales can improve the feasibility of surveys that broadly explore factors affecting PLH. This study tested the psychometric properties of a Spanish translation of the abbreviated 10-item Berger's HIV stigma scale. Methods: We recruited a sample of 105 PLH regularly attending a specialized clinic in Cali, Colombia. English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English back translation was performed of the Berger's 10-item HIV stigma scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were carried out to assess its validity. Pre- and post-test reliability (15 days) was estimated with the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to confirm a two-factor solution with three poor items removed, resulting in a 7-item HIV Stigma Scale. The resulting 7-item HIV stigma scale had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.73 with an ICC of 0.83 (CI 95%: 0.75–0.89). One factor loaded three items related to negative self-image (internalised stigma), and the other four items were related to personalized (enacted) HIV stigma. Both factors were related to depression and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Conclusion: The Spanish translation of the 10-item HIV stigma scale did not perform well due to problems in items 4, 5, and 6. Rather, a modified 7-item version had a good fit with a two-factor loading in which both HIV stigma factors correlated significantly with depression and HIV medication adherence.

The Social, Mental, and Physical Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People With HIV: Protocol of an Observational International Multisite Study

“…The study uses the Brief Measure of Stigma for HIV+ Youth, a 10-item measure that includes items about experiences and feelings related to how PWH are treated ( Wright et al, 2007 ). The instrument, which demonstrates reliability, good internal consistency, and validity ( Wright et al, 2007 ) is based on the 40-item HIV Stigma Scale ( Berger et al, 2001 ) that has been used extensively among people living with HIV ( Holzemer et al, 2009 ; Lodi et al, 2023 ; Montaño et al, 2020 ). The shorter 10-item version was selected to reduce respondent burden and also because it uses items directly from the original Berger scale.…”