Validating a measure of anticipated sex workrelated stigma among male and female sex workers in Kenya

摘要

Sex workers face different types of sex work-related stigma, which mayinclude anticipated, perceived, experienced, or internalized stigma. Sexwork stigma can discourage health care seeking and hamper STI andHIV prevention and treatment efforts. There is a paucity of validated sexwork-related stigma measures, and this limits the ability to study thestigma associated with sex work. A cross-sectional survey wasconducted that measured anticipated sex work-related stigma amongmale and female sex workers in Kenya (N = 729). We examined theconstruct validity and reliability of the anticipated stigma items toestablish a conceptually and statistically valid scale. Our analysissupported a 15-item scale measuring five anticipated sex work stigmadomains: gossip and verbal abuse from family; gossip and verbal abusefrom healthcare workers; gossip and verbal abuse from friends andcommunity; physical abuse; and exclusion. The scale demonstratedgood face, content, and construct validity. Reliability was good for allsubscales and the overall scale. The scale demonstrated good model fitstatistics and good standardized factor loadings. The availability of validand reliable stigma measures will enhance efforts to characterize andaddress stigma among sex workers and ultimately support theprotection, health and well-being of this vulnerable population.