02765nas a2200349   4500000000100000008004100001260001000042653001500052653001500067653001100082653002500093653001600118653001500134100001300149700002000162700001600182700001200198700001700210700001400227700001300241700001300254700001100267700001200278700001400290700001000304245009300314856012200407300000900529490000700538520185600545022001402401       2025                            d  bLepra10aPerception10aValidation10aStigma10aCultural equivalence10aReliability10aManagement1 aDahiru T1 aMurphy-Okpala N1 aAbdullahi S1 aDikko A1 avan Brakel W1 aAnyaike C1 aChukwu J1 aNwafor C1 aMeka A1 aEkeke N1 aUkwaja KN1 aEze C00aValidation of the Hausa version of the EMIC-CSS and SDS among adults in Northern Nigeria  uhttps://leprosyreview.org/admin/public/article_shell/uploads/article_files/Lepra/LEPROSY/96/3/lr2023109/lr2023109.pdf  a1-100 v963 a<p>Background</p>

<p>People with leprosy in Nigeria tend to be stigmatized, but there are no validated tools to assess the level of stigma by community members. The aim of this study is to test the cross-cultural validity of the Hausa version of the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue Community Stigma Scale (H-EMIC-CSS) and the Social Distance Scale (H-SDS) in the field of leprosy in Taraba, Northern Nigeria.</p>

<p>Methods</p>

<p>Cultural equivalences, including conceptual, item, semantic, and operational equivalences, were assessed using forward and back translations, group discussions, and pretest assessments. A cross-sectional survey conducted among adult community members living in three local government areas (LGAs) of Taraba, Nigeria, was used to assess the measurement equivalence. There were 105 participants who completed the survey.</p>

<p>Results</p>

<p>The different components of the cultural equivalence assessment of the H-RSES and H-ISMI scales showed adequate fit with all items identified as important in the context of the population. A positive correlation was found between the H-EMIC-CSS and the H-SDS total scores (r =&nbsp;0.48; p &lt; 0.001). The Cronbach’s alpha values representing internal consistency were 0.86 and 0.94 for the H-EMIC-CSS and H-SDS, respectively. The exploratory factor analysis indicated that both the H-EMICCSS and H-SDS scales had adequate fit as one-dimensional scales. There were no floor or ceiling effects in the distribution of the scales.</p>

<p>Conclusions</p>

<p>The Hausa versions of the H-EMIC-CSS and the H-SDS have good cross-cultural validity to evaluate social stigma in settings with leprosy in the Hausaspeaking population of Taraba, Northern Nigeria. We believe the scales can be utilized in assessing stigma in other conditions in the setting</p>
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