Psychometric Properties of a New HIV/AIDS Knowledge Measure for Adults. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prati, Gabriele; Zani, Bruna; Pietrantoni, Luca; Scudiero, Diego; Perone, Patrizia; Cosmaro, Lella; Cerioli, Alessandra; Oldrini, Massimo
• Is Part Of: Social work in public health. Volume 31:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: HIV/AIDS -- knowledge -- IRT -- bifactor -- HIV testing -- condom use; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2015.1087911
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1937-1918

Abstract

Abstract : The aim of this study was to develop a new 29-item HIV/AIDS knowledge measure and to examine its psychometric properties for three samples of adults: non-HIV-positive heterosexual people, non-HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The authors collected data using an online questionnaire. A total of 9, 349 Italian individuals agreed to participate in the study: 694 individuals (7.4%) were PLWHA, 5, 232 (56.0%) were HIV negative, and the remaining 3, 423 (36.6%) were MSM. Using two-parameter item response theory analysis, a bifactor model was found to be better fitting than a one-factor model or a 12 correlated first-order factor model. Differential item functioning showed evidence of measurement nonequivalence of the instrument for the three samples of adults. The reliability of HIV/AIDS knowledge scale among PLWHA was satisfactory. Criterion-related validity was only achieved among non-HIV-positive heterosexual people, non-HIV-positive MSM, as the HIV/AIDS knowledge scale was related with attitudes toward condom use, condom use with casual partners, unknown HIV status of partner, and HIV stigma. Among non-HIV-positive heterosexual people, the HIV/AIDS knowledge scale adds to the prediction of condom use above that of attitudes toward condom use scale. The HIV/AIDS knowledge scale is especially discriminating at low to medium levels of knowledge.