Psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the Perceived Risk of HIV Scale in the general population and HIV-uninfected partners from sero-different couples

Alexandra Martins,Marco Pereira,Catarina Chaves,Maria Cristina Canavarro

doi:10.1186/s12889-019-7696-y

Alexandra Martins, Marco Pereira + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7696-y

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Abstract

BackgroundPerceived risk of HIV plays an important role in the adoption of protective behaviours and HIV testing. However, few studies have used multiple-item measures to assess this construct. The Perceived Risk of HIV Scale (PRHS) is an 8-item measure that assesses how people think and feel about their risk of HIV infection. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the European Portuguese version of the PRHS, including the ability of this scale to discriminate between individuals from the general population and HIV-uninfected partners from sero-different couples on their perceived risk of HIV infection (known-groups validity).MethodsThis study included 917 individuals from the general population (sample 1) to assess the psychometric properties of the PRHS. To assess the known-groups validity, the sample comprised 445 participants from the general population who were in an intimate relationship (sub-set of sample 1) and 42 HIV-uninfected partners from sero-different couples (sample 2). All participants filled out a set of questionnaires, which included a self-reported questionnaire on sociodemographic information, sexual behaviours, HIV testing and the PRHS. Sample 1 also completed the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire – 18-item version.ResultsThe original unidimensional structure was reproduced both in exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and the PRHS demonstrated good reliability (α = .78; composite reliability = .82). The differential item functioning analyses indicated that the items of the PRHS, in general, did not function differently for men and women or according to HIV testing. Significant associations with sexual risk behaviours and HIV testing provided evidence for criterion validity. The known-groups validity was supported.ConclusionsThe PRHS is a suitable scale in the evaluation of the perceived risk of HIV, and its psychometric characteristics validate its use in the Portuguese population. Furthermore, the present study suggests that interventions improving individuals’ HIV risk perceptions may be important since they were associated with different sexual behaviours and the likelihood of HIV testing.

Highlights

Perceived risk of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) plays an important role in the adoption of protective behaviours and HIV testing
In the original study of the Perceived Risk of HIV Scale (PRHS), which involved participants who were recruited from HIV testing and prevention services in Long Beach, California, the results showed that the different aspects of perceived risk loaded on a single factor and were included in a onedimensional scale, which is contrary to what some studies had pointed out previously, suggesting that perceived likelihood and affective assessments may be independent constructs (e.g.,[25])
Results on sample 2: known-groups validity Participant’s characteristics The sample 2 consisted of 445 participants from the general population who were in intimate relationships and were between the ages of 18 and 72 years old (M = 31.89 years; SD = 11.03) and 42 HIV-uninfected partners from sero-different couples who were between the ages of 24 and 67 years old (M = 47.45 years; SD = 11.45)

Summary

Introduction

Perceived risk of HIV plays an important role in the adoption of protective behaviours and HIV testing. The Perceived Risk of HIV Scale (PRHS) is an 8-item measure that assesses how people think and feel about their risk of HIV infection. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the European Portuguese version of the PRHS, including the ability of this scale to discriminate between individuals from the general population and HIV-uninfected partners from sero-different couples on their perceived risk of HIV infection (known-groups validity). Despite adequate knowledge of the disease, some literature has documented low risk perception even in the context of behaviours suggesting elevated risks for HIV exposure (e.g.,[3])

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