Convergent and divergent validity of the final scales using the full final dataset
For the convergent and divergent validity analysis of the revised AIDS knowledge and stigma scales, the following items were utilised: educational level, ‘hide HIV status’, ‘rather not know’, ‘abandon me’, HIV status (positive or negative) and HIV testing (tested or not). These items were variously drawn from Kalichman and Simbayi (2003) [38] and Kalichman et al. (2005) [23].
The correlation between the revised AIDS knowledge and stigma scales, and between each of these scales with the education level of participants was examined in the final dataset (?=?457). Knowledge and stigma were found to be significantly inversely correlated (r?=??0.28, ?=?457, p??0.01), as were education level and stigma (r?=??0.37, ?=?457, p??0.01). Individuals with lower levels of education were more likely to exhibit higher levels of stigma towards AIDS and HIV+ persons. Education was found to be significantly positively correlated with knowledge about AIDS (r?=?0.40, ?=?457, p??0.01), indicating that higher levels of education were associated with more informed positions with respect to HIV and AIDS. These results broadly align with those of Kalichman et al. (2005) [23].
Participants who agreed with the statement that infected persons should ‘hide their status’ scored significantly lower on the AIDS knowledge scale [agree (M?=?6.40, SD?=?2.66) and disagree (M?=?7.27, SD?=?2.63); t(455)?=?2.63, p??0.01], and significantly higher on the stigma scale [agree (M?=?2.45, SD?=?2.42) and disagree (M?=?1.16, SD?=?1.46); t(85)?=??4.49, p??0.01].
Persons who agreed with the ‘rather not know’ statement scored significantly lower on the AIDS knowledge scale [agree (M?=?6.27, SD?=?2.60) and disagree (M?=?7.31, SD?=?2.63); t(453)?=?3.08, p??0.01], and significantly higher on the stigma scale [agree (M?=?2.62, SD?=?2.43) and disagree (M?=?1.13, SD?=?1.44); t(82)?=??5.06, p??0.01].
Participants who agreed with the ‘abandon me’ statement scored significantly lower on the AIDS knowledge scale [agree (M?=?6.26, SD?=?2.87) and disagree (M?=?7.43, SD?=?2.52); t(165)?=?3.84, p??0.01] and significantly higher on the stigma scale [agree (M?=?2.33, SD?=?2.30) and disagree (M?=?1.05, SD?=?1.34); t(132)?=??5.50, p??0.01]. This finding aligns with Kalichman et al. (2005) in respect of the stigma scale, but no similar evaluation by them was done for the knowledge scale [23].
HIV+ workers scored significantly lower on the AIDS knowledge scale [HIV+ (M?=?6.26, SD?=?3.03) and HIV- (M?=?7.44, SD?=?2.48); t(34)?=??2.10, p??0.05], but no association was found between HIV status and AIDS-related stigma scores.
Workers who had previously tested for HIV/AIDS scored significantly higher on the AIDS knowledge scale [Tested (M?=?7.29, SD?=?2.57) and Not Tested (M?=?6.69, SD?=?2.85); t(454)?=??2.11, p??0.05], but again no association was found between HIV testing and AIDS-related stigma scores.
Overall, both the stigma and the knowledge scales were able to differentiate individuals who were significantly different from one another in terms of their education, views on HIV+ persons hiding their status, preferring to not know if they were HIV+, feeling that they would be abandoned if they contracted AIDS, whether or not they had been tested for HIV/AIDS, and their HIV serostatus.