Urdu translation and adaptation of the HIV stigma scale in Pakistani injectable drug users with HIV.

Abstract

To translate and adapt the human immunodeficiency virus stigma scale into Urdu language, and to determine its psychometric properties. The study was conducted at the Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Treatment Centre at the Civil Hospital, Karachi, from February to April 2017. The scale was translated and administered on a sample of patients enrolled from the Centre who were aged 25-45 years and had been injecting drugs. The reliability of the measure was assessed by working out Cronbach's alpha, split-half reliability and test retest reliability. The construct validity was measured by correlating the scale with the constructs of depression and self-esteem. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS, 20. There were 150 subjects with a mean age of 31.65±5.88 years. Internal consistency of the Urdu version of scale was 0.94 and that of the subscales ranged 0.81-0.91. Gutman split-half coefficient was 0.93 and test retest reliability was 0.92. The Urdu version of the scale had significant positive correlation with depression (p<0.01) and significant negative correlation with self-esteem (p<0.01). The Urdu version of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Stigma Scale was found to have acceptable psychometric properties and it can be used in researches conducted in Pakistan.