HIV Stigma Mechanisms Scale: Factor Structure, Reliability, and Validity in Mexican Adults.

We aimed to validate the HIV Stigma Mechanisms Scale (HIV-SMS) in a sample of Mexican adults living with HIV, which differentiates between sources and mechanisms of stigma. Adults (n = 362) with a median age of 32 years old completed a web-based version in Spanish of the HIV-SMS as well as sociodemographic and HIV-related characteristics questionnaire. Exploratory factor analyses with weighted least squares and oblique rotation were performed to assess the construct validity of the scale. The Spanish translation for the Mexican population of the HIV-SMS has adequate internal consistency (Ω = 0.86) and demonstrated a structure similar to the original scale. After excluding the items related to community and social workers, a five-factor solution with internalized, promulgated, and anticipated stigma from family and healthcare workers showed adequate construct validity. The HIV-SMS is a valid and sensitive scale that can be used in a Mexican adult population living with HIV.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue validar la Escala de Mecanismos de Estigma de VIH (EME-VIH) en una muestra de adultos mexicanos que viven con VIH. Esta escala distingue entre fuentes y mecanismos de estigma. 362 adultos con una edad media de 32 años completaron vía web una versión en español de la EME-VIH así como preguntas acerca de sus características sociodemográficas y cuestiones relacionadas con el VIH. Se realizaron análisis factoriales exploratorios de mínimos cuadrados ponderados con rotación oblicua para evaluar la validez de constructo de la escala. La traducción al español de la EME-VIH para población mexicana tiene consistencia interna adecuada (Ω = 0.86) y muestra una estructura similar a la escala original. Después de excluir los ítems relacionados con trabajadores comunitarios y sociales, se encontró una solución con validez de constructo adecuada de cinco factores: estigma internalizado, promulgado y anticipado ejercido por la familia y personal de salud. La EME-VIH es una escala válida y sensible que puede usarse en población adulta mexicana que vive con VIH.

Substance use stigma mechanisms scale: Factor structure, reliability, and validity in Mexican adults that use drugs.

BACKGROUND: Studies among the Mexican population have suggested that stigma towards persons who use drugs (PWUD) may act as a barrier to treatment seeking and contribute to negative health consequences. However, there has not been a validated scale to measure this construct. This paper aims to validate the Substance Use Stigma Mechanisms Scale (SU-SMS) in a sample of Mexican adults who use drugs. This 18-item scale was developed to differentiate substance use stigma mechanisms and learn their impact on the health and wellbeing of persons who use drugs (PWUD) in the United States. METHODS: A sample of 407 adults with a median age of 27 years old completed a web-based version in Spanish of the SU-SMS, the WHO-ASSIST screening instrument, as well as sociodemographic and substance-use-related characteristics. We performed exploratory factor analysis with weighted least squares and oblique rotation, and correlations within and between mechanisms of stigma, and substance use. RESULTS: The Spanish translation of the SU-SMS has adequate internal consistency (Ω=0.92) and the same factor structure as the original scale. A five-factor solution with internalized, enacted, and anticipated stigma from family and healthcare workers showed adequate concurrent validity. Mechanisms of stigma were correlated between them, within sources, and negatively correlated with current substance use treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish translation of the scale seems to be a valid and sensitive scale that can be used among Mexican PWUD.