Psychometric validation of HIV-related Scales for rural African-American men

Background: African-Americans comprise 75% of AIDS cases in the southeastern USA and HIV rates are increasing disproportionately in comparison to other racial/ethnic groups. Scant HIV-related instruments normed on rural samples are available to enhance reliable data collection. The development of gender and regional specific measures is vital for testing the efficacy of culturally competent HIV prevention interventions. The psychometric properties of a HIV prevention knowledge scale (HIV-PKS) and an AIDS perception scale (AID-SPS) were examined to refine brief instruments for use with rural African-American males.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with 586African-American men aged 18 to 64 from rural North Florida who completed an ACASI. Cronbach's alpha coefficients and item-total correlations were analyzed to assess the internal consistency reliability and exploratory factor analysis examined the construct validity of the scales.

Results: Items were retained only if item-total correlation coefficient was above 0.30 and the factor loading was above 0.40. Seven of the HIV-PKS items and 2 of AID-SPS items failed to reach these values due to insufficient coefficients or cross loading and were dropped. Principle component factor analysis yielded one component for the HIV-PKS accounting for 43.6% variance with factor loadings above 0.48. Principle component factor analysis yielded one components for the AID-SPS accounting for 40.4% variance with factor loadings above 0.53. The alphas for the HIV-PKS and the AID-SPS are 0.70 and 0.82, respectively.

Conclusion: These results suggest the HIV-PKS and the AID-SPS are valid and internally consistent instruments for use with rural African-American males.