title: Validation of 2 Spanish-Language Scales to Assess HIV-Related Stigma in Communities.
abstract: We report the psychometric properties of 2 Spanish-language scales designed to measure (1) opinions about HIV in the community and particularly among health care workers and (2) observed acts of stigma toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) by health care workers. The Opinions about HIV Scale included 3 components (policy, avoidance, and empathy) and 9 items, while an adapted version of the HIV/AIDS Stigma Instrument-Nurse, designed to capture acts of stigma, included 2 components (discrimination related to clinical care and refusal to share or exchange food/gifts). Scales demonstrated good reliability and construct validity. Relative to community health workers, treatment supporters were more likely to have stigmatizing opinions related to avoidance and empathy. We offer 2 Spanish-language scales that could be used to identify populations with high levels of stigmatizing opinions and behaviors toward PLWHA. Formal training of health care workers, especially treatment supporters, may raise awareness and reduce stigma toward HIV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Partners In Health / Socios En Salud, Lima, Peru molly_franke@hms.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Molly F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Franke
authors.affiliation: Partners In Health / Socios En Salud, Lima, Peru Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Adrianne K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Partners In Health / Socios En Salud, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: Maribel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Partners In Health / Socios En Salud, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: Janeth Santa
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Sidney
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atwood
authors.affiliation: Partners In Health / Socios En Salud, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: Leonid
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lecca
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Partners In Health / Socios En Salud, Lima, Peru Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Sonya S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: HASI-N; Peru; measure; opinions; treatment supporter