Translation, adaption and validation of HIVAIDS stigma and discrimination scale for university students in China.

BackgroundStigma - a procedures with label, stereotype, prejudice, status loss, and discrimination -has long played a role in the spread of HIV since the beginning of the epidemic. However, few researchers conducted on the HIV-related stigma and discrimination for general population in China. Consequently, we introduced translated and adapted the English version of HIV/AIDS Stigma and Discrimination Scale applied for undergraduates in China. ObjectiveThis study aimed to adapt the HIV/AIDS Public Stigma and Discrimination Scale (HPSDS) in China and to investigate its psychometric properties (e.g., reliability and validity). MethodsUsing translation, back-translation, quality evaluation, cross-cultural adaption and pre-assessment, a Chinese draft version of the HPSDS was obtained. From April 2022 to July 2022, the scale was distributed to179 universities and colleges and 2,333 college students filled out the translated and adapted questionnaires. Finally, we collected 1,604 valid questionnaires. The results were recruited to assess the psychometric characteristics of the CV-HPSDS. ResultThe CV-PHSDS consists of 3 dimensions and 14 items with Cronbachs alpha coefficient, McDonalds omega coefficient and test-retest reliability of the scale are 0.869, 0.883 and 0.857 respectively, manifesting good internal consistency and stability. To construct validity of adapted scale, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted with the cumulative variance contribution rate of 76.6% was obtained. For confirmatory factor analysis, the CFI, GFI, TLI, and IFI showed excellent fitness to the structure, with fitness indices of 0.972, 0.949, 0.965, and 0.972, respectively. Finally, a valid and reliable instrument to measure the HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination level is obtained. ConclusionThe translated and adapted version of HPSDS shows to be a reliable and valid instrument for assessing stigma and discrimination level for undergraduates.