Development and validation of the AIDS scale among the system of quality of life instruments for chronic diseases (QLICD-HIV V2.0)

Abstract Background In recent years, the prevalence of AIDS has shown a high increase, which has become a major public health problem of international concern. According to research, the quality of life(QoL) of AIDS patients is often lower than that of patients with other chronic diseases, so how to improve the QoL of AIDS patients has become a problem that needs to be urgently focused on at present. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate the AIDS scale among the System of Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases(QLICD), name as QLICD-HIV V2.0. Methods QLICD-HIV V2.0 was developed using a programmed modular approach with multiple nominal and focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and quantitative statistical procedures. Pre-surveys and formal surveys were conducted on the preliminary version of the scale, thus completing the scale development and validation process. The reliability of the scale was analyzed using the correlation coefficient method, the variability method, and the Cronbach’s α coefficient method of classical test theory(CTT), the validity of the scale was analyzed using factor analysis and correlation analysis with the SF-36 as a criterion, and the responsiveness of the scale and of each domain/facet was assessed through paired t-tests of before and after admission scores, and calculation of the standardized response mean (SRM). Results QLICD-HIV V2.0 ultimately retained 43 items, resulting in a structure of 4 domains, subdivided into 12 facets. The scale was shown to have high reliability overall by several methods of CTT. The Cronbach’s α coefficient and test-retest reliability for the total scale were 0.90 and 0.88, respectively, with domain Cronbach’s α coefficient ranging from 0.74 to 0.85 and test-retest reliabilities ranging from 0.69 to 0.89. Factor analysis results showed KMO = 0.852, with three common factors extracted from 15 items of the specific module, accounting for 55.2% of the cumulative variance, and correlation and factor analyses confirmed good structural and criterion-related validity. Conclusions QLICD-HIV V2.0 was developed in a systematic and scientific way, and showed good reliability and validity after preliminary application, which can be further promoted and used as a new QoL scale for AIDS patients with Chinese characteristics.