Instrument validity: HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in homeless people.

Abstract

to validate, through the Item Response Theory, an instrument on vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in homeless people. a cross-sectional study carried out between February and May 2018 with 100 homeless people in a municipality in northeastern Brazil. A sociodemographic questionnaire was applied, and another with items referring to behaviors vulnerable to HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Subsequently, it was assessed through the Item Response Theory. the items previous diagnosis of STIs (F=0.473), partner with STI symptoms (F=0.518), drug use (F=0.509), sex for money (F=0.552), STI symptoms (F=0.448), number of sexual partners (F=0.616), sharps sharing (F=0.398) and being a victim of sexual violence (F=0.347) were validated. the instrument proved to be validated, being able to identify vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in homeless people.