Measuring perceived HIV stigma among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and young adults – Pilot testing an assessment tool on corresponding HIV stigma items

PURPOSE: This study pilot tested an innovative measurement tools with corresponding HIV stigma scale items for comparable assessment in both PLWHA and young adults.  METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted.  Stigma domains of each group were critically cross-analyzed and identified by two researchers, with corresponding items of each domains developed.  A sample of PLHW from a HIV primary care clinic (n=40) and a convenient young adult sample (n=52) in a southern small town participated in this study.  RESULTS: A 33-item model describing four corresponding HIV stigma domains for PLWHA and the young adults in the general population. These domains included (1) internalized stigma and blaming (7-items); (2) perceived stigma and distancing (13-items); (3) experienced stigma or discrimination (5-items); and (4) disclosure concerns (8-items) for the PLWHA group; corresponding with (1) blaming attitudes toward PLWHA; (2) distancing and worry of infection; (3) support for coercive measures; and (4) perceived stigma if disclosed for young adults in the general population.  Definitions of each domain with sample items were discussed.  Results showed that all four domain scales had satisfactory internal consistencies in both groups.  Cronbach alphas were .846, .933, .836, and .913 for scales (1) to (4) in the PLWHA, and .888, .930, .903, and .819 in the young adult groups.   CONCLUSIONS: This study provides HIV researchers a new and innovative framework to assess and compare HIV stigma domains and levels between PLWHA and young adults, and has implication on measuring the effectiveness of programs addressing HIV related stigma.