1 research outputs found
Validity and reliability of a modified short version of a stigma scale for use among Tunisian COVIDâ19 patients after quarantine: A crossâsectional study
Abstract Background and Aim The COVIDâ19 is a stigmatizing infectious disease even after healing. Until now, no COVIDâ19 stigma scale validated in Tunisian Arabic language among the general population is available. Developing such tools is necessary to detect COVIDâ19 stigma and reduce it effectively. Indeed, stigmatization of COVIDâ19 patients could increase the spread of this disease and its related mental health issues. We aimed at testing the validity of a translated and modified version of the 12âitem HIV stigma scale among Tunisian COVIDâ19 patients. Methods A crossâsectional study was conducted between November and December 2020 among a representative sample of COVIDâ19 patients in the governorate of Sousse, Tunisia, after quarantine. The 12âitem HIV stigma scale was translated in Tunisian Arabic and then modified to be adapted to the Tunisian context. The preliminary modified version was administrated to the participants by pretrained medical doctors during phone calls. It consisted on 20 items covering the four stigma dimensions (personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, concerns with public attitudes, and negative selfâimage). The psychometric evaluation of this version included internal consistency as well as principal component analysis (PCA). Results The responses of 346 COVIDâ19 patients were obtained. Their median age was 40âyears (interquartile range: 30â54.5). Females represented 60.4% of them. The PCA resulted in a three factor solution with 14 items. This 14âitem scale demonstrated good internal consistency with a global Cronbach's α of 0.91 and values of 0.94, 0.93, and 0.98 for social stigma, negative selfâimage, and disclosure concerns, respectively. Conclusion This study provides a reliable and valid instrument for stigma measuring among Tunisian COVIDâ19 patients. The use of this scale would contribute in reducing the spread of this new infectious disease and its related mental health issues