Scale Analysis

The analysis of the Knowledge and Attitudes Scales for HIV/AIDS among Teachers includes the assessment of the validity and reliability of the data collected from the teachers’ responses.
The Knowledge Scale consists of two parts:
The first part includes 14 true/false questions about the HIV disease process and 4 questions related to classroom issues.
The second part includes 17 possible modes of HIV transmission, for a total of 35 questions.
The Attitude Scale includes 25 questions regarding HIV/AIDS, people infected with HIV, and educational issues, with responses provided on a 5-point Likert scale.
The analysis of the scale begins with descriptive statistical analysis to calculate basic statistics such as means and standard deviations. Subsequently, the reliability of the scale is assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, to ensure the internal consistency of the items.
For validity testing, factor analysis is used to verify that the items of the scale reflect the theoretical dimensions they are intended to measure. Additionally, advanced statistical methods, such as analysis of variance (ANOVA), are applied to identify differences between groups of teachers and to understand the relationships among different variables.

Objective

The objective of this scale is to evaluate the level of knowledge and perceptions of teachers regarding HIV/AIDS. These scales aim to measure teachers’ understanding of the HIV disease process, transmission, prevention, and treatment, as well as their attitudes toward people infected with HIV and the educational issues that arise.
In this way, the scales help to identify potential gaps or misconceptions in teachers’ knowledge and attitudes, allowing for the development of targeted educational programs and interventions.

Scale Scoring

The HAKAST-60 Scale consists of 60 items, which are rated as follows:
1 = Strongly Agree
2 = Agree
3 = Uncertain
4 = Disagree
5 = Strongly Disagree

References

Ballard, D., White, D., & Glascoff, M. (1990). HIV/AIDS education for preservice elementary teachers. Journal of School Health, 60, 262–269.
Boscarino, J. A., & DiClemente, R. J. (1996). AIDS knowledge, teaching comfort, and support for AIDS education among school teachers: A statewide study. AIDS Education and Prevention, 8, 267–277.
Brucker, B. W., & Hall, W. H. (1996). Teachers’ attitudes toward HIV/AIDS: An American national assessment. Early Child Development and Care, 115, 85–98.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2007). Cases of HIV infection and AIDS in the United States and dependent areas. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 19, 1–63.
Costin, A. C., Page, B. J., Pietrzak, D. R., Kerr, D. L., & Symons, C. W. (2002). HIV/AIDS knowledge and beliefs among pre-service and in-service school counselors. Professional School Counseling, 6(1), 79–86.
Dawson, L. J., Chunis, M. L., Smith, D. M., & Carboni, A. A. (2001). The role of academic discipline and gender in high school teachers’ AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes. Journal of School Health, 71(1), 3–8.
di Mauro, D. (1989–1990, December/January). Sexuality education 1990: A review of state sexuality and AIDS education curricula. SIECUS Report, 18(2), 1–9.
Hardy, A. M. (1989). AIDS knowledge and attitudes for April–June 1989. Provisional data from the National Health Interview Survey. (Advance Data from Vital and Health Statistics, No. 179.) (DHHS Publication No. PHS 90-1250.) Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics.
Kistner, J., Eberstein, I. W., Guadagno, D., Sly, D., Sittig, L., Foster, K., et al. (1997). Children’s AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes: Variations by grade, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and size of community. AIDS Education and Prevention, 9, 285–298.
Landau, S., Pryor, J. B., & Haefli, K. (1995). Pediatric HIV: School-based sequelae and curricular interventions for prevention and social acceptance. School Psychology Review, 24, 213–229.
Preston, D. B., Young, E. W., Koch, P. B., & Forti, E. M. (1995). The Nurses’ Attitudes About AIDS Scale (NAAS): Development and psychometric analysis. AIDS Education and Prevention, 7, 443–454.
Singer, M. D. (1991). Elementary student teachers’ knowledge and attitudes of HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS education. Unpublished thesis, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
Steitz, J. A., & Munn, J. A. (1993). Adolescents and AIDS: Knowledge and attitude. Adolescence, 28(111), 609–619.