Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
<mark>Journal publication date</mark> | 05/2012 |
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<mark>Journal</mark> | Epilepsy and Behavior |
Issue number | 1 |
Volume | 24 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Pages (from-to) | 81-85 |
Publication Status | Published |
<mark>Original language</mark> | English |
The aim of this study was to develop and validate a tool to measure perceived stigma among people with epilepsy (PWE) in Kilifi, Kenya. We reviewed existing scales that measured stigma, particularly of epilepsy. We conducted a qualitative study to determine salient concerns related to stigma in Kilifi. Themes were generated, and those related to stigma were used to construct an 18-item stigma scale. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was then conducted among 673 PWE to assess the reliability and validity of the scale. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability with an interclass correlation coefficient. The final scale had 15 items, which had high internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.91) and excellent test-retest reliability (r=0.92). Factor analysis indicated that the scale was unidimensional with one factor solution explaining 45.8% of the variance. The Kilifi Stigma Scale for Epilepsy is a culturally appropriate measure of stigma with strong psychometric properties.