Measurement Invariance and Criterion Validity of Comprehensive Knowledge about HIV/AIDS Prevention Scale in the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey Tool

BackgroundLimited information exists on the functioning of comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention scale in the Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys. ObjectivesThis paper aimed to: (i) examine measurement invariance of comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention scale across men and women groups in Uganda; and (ii) evaluate the criterion related validity of the scale using HIV testing as an outcome variable. MethodsThe study was based on cross-sectional Uganda Demographic and Health Survey data of 2016. Measurement invariance was investigated using confirmatory factor analysis in the framework of structural equation modelling while criterion-related validity was investigated by fitting a binary logistic regression model that explained the relationship between HIV testing and comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention. ResultsThe results show that, the construct is invariant across men and women groups at the dimensional, metric and scalar levels, however, all models presented poor fit. Furthermore, criterion-related validity of comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention with HIV testing, was confirmed. ConclusionsThe findings of this study underscore the need to revise items included in the comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention scale in order to improve its performance.