title: Assessing Stigma among African Americans Living with HIV.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we validated a culturally adapted stigma scale designed to assess stigma among African Americans living with HIV.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected data on the scale using an audio computer assisted self-interview (ACASI) format. We validated the scale with a sample of 62 African American participants living with HIV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings demonstrated that stigma can be measured succinctly and effectively in a 14-item scale with two subscales measuring enacted and internalized stigma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We identified many advantages to using the scale, which demonstrated good psychometric properties when used with an audio computer assisted self-interview format and with an African American sample. We recommend this scale's use in both clinical practice and research study of HIV-stigma reduction interventions with African American populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle Washington.
authors.forename: Deepa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Health Services Department, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Yamile
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Cohn
keywords: African American; HIV; Measurement; Stigma; Validation