Validation of an HIV/AIDS Stigma Measure for Children Living with HIV and Their Families

J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care. 2019 Jan-Dec:18:2325958219880570. doi: 10.1177/2325958219880570.

Abstract

Background: There are few validated tools to measure stigma, particularly among children living with HIV and their families.

Methods: This study was nested within a larger study that followed 240 child-caregiver dyads (children aged 10-15 years) at 8 clinics in western Kenya. The stigma instrument was administered to all child-caregiver dyads at 2 time points 6 months apart. The primary end point was to construct validity assessed by comparison to criterion constructs using generalized estimating equation models.

Results: Mean age of child participants was 12.3 years and 52% were female. Generally, caregivers reported experiencing higher levels of HIV stigma compared to their children. Children (9%) and caregivers (14%) reported that HIV stigma made them feel stressed, anxious, and depressed. Child and caregiver stigma items showed high construct validity by emotional and behavioral outcomes.

Conclusions: The stigma instrument showed high validity when compared to emotional and behavioral outcomes.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; Kenya; children; stigma; validation study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / psychology*
  • Adolescent
  • Anxiety / etiology
  • Caregivers / psychology
  • Child
  • Depression / etiology
  • Family / psychology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Kenya
  • Male
  • Psychology, Child / methods*
  • Qualitative Research
  • Social Stigma*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires