title: Development and validation of the Kilifi Stigma Scale for Epilepsy in Kenya.
abstract: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a tool to measure perceived stigma among people with epilepsy (PWE) in Kilifi, Kenya. We reviewed existing scales that measured stigma, particularly of epilepsy. We conducted a qualitative study to determine salient concerns related to stigma in Kilifi. Themes were generated, and those related to stigma were used to construct an 18-item stigma scale. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was then conducted among 673 PWE to assess the reliability and validity of the scale. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability with an interclass correlation coefficient. The final scale had 15 items, which had high internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.91) and excellent test-retest reliability (r=0.92). Factor analysis indicated that the scale was unidimensional with one factor solution explaining 45.8% of the variance. The Kilifi Stigma Scale for Epilepsy is a culturally appropriate measure of stigma with strong psychometric properties.
authors.affiliation: KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya. ckathomi@kilifi.kemri-wellcome.org
authors.forename: Caroline K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Mbuba
authors.forename: Amina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abubakar
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Odermatt
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult