Translation and validation in Brazilian Portuguese of the reactions to homosexuality scale

Abstract

homonegativity. The RHS was effectively translated and validated in Brazilian Portuguese and can be used to evaluate the role of internalized homonegativity on GBM's health, as well as its impact on the uptake of HIV prevention technologies.

Evaluation of Mpox Knowledge, Stigma, and Willingness to Vaccinate for Mpox: Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey Among Sexual and Gender Minorities

“…The Reactions to Homosexuality Scale (RHS), originally developed to measure internalized homonegativity among MSM, includes 7 items measured on a 7-point Likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree, with total scores ranging from 0 to 42 [ 18 , 26 ]. For this analysis, we adapted the scale to allow completion by all SGM, as described in Table S1 in Multimedia Appendix 1 .…”

Pre-exposure prophylaxis use, HIV knowledge, and internalized homonegativity among men who have sex with men in Brazil: A cross-sectional study

“…Internalized homonegativity was measured via the RHS tool, which includes seven items measured on a 7-point Likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. 21 Total scores range from 0–42. Higher scores indicate higher internalized homonegativity.…”

“… 17 , 18 Internalized homonegativity has been shown to be associated with lower engagement with HIV prevention services, including PrEP. 18 , 19 Various scales have been developed to measure HIV knowledge and internalized homonegativity, including the HIV/AIDS Knowledge Assessment (HIV-KA) 20 and the Reactions to Homosexuality Scale (RHS), 21 both available in Brazilian Portuguese.…”

The rising tide of HIV among young men who have sex with men in Brazil: insights from the Conectad@s study

“…We used validated measures to assess engagement in HIV risk behaviour (HIV risk scale; 0–2 points: low-risk; 3–8 points: middle-risk; ≥9 points: high-risk), 11 HIV knowledge (HIV/AIDS Knowledge Assessment tool [HIV-KA]; 12-items with scores ranging from 0 to 12, high scores mean high HIV knowledge), 12 internalised homonegativity (Reactions to Homosexuality Scale [RHS]; 7-items with scores ranging 0–42; high scores indicate greater internalized homonegativity), 13 discrimination (Explicit Discrimination Scale [EDS]; 18-items with scores ranging 0–54; higher scores indicate more experiences of discrimination), 14 , 15 anxiety and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-4 [PHQ-4]; 0–3 points for each item; considered positive if scores ≥3), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Abbreviated PTDS checklist [PCL]; 2-items, each ranging from 1 to 5; positive if score ≥4). 16 Substance use (any illicit substance), binge drinking and alcohol use before/during sex were also evaluated.…”

“…We used logistic regression models to measure the correlates of HIV infection among YMSM, comparing participants with new HIV diagnosis (reference group) to those with HIV-negative status. We tested the effect of demographic factors (age, race, education, and monthly per capita income), engagement in risk behaviour using the HIV risk scale, 11 substance use, alcohol use before/during sex, chemsex, knowledge about HIV prevention and treatment using HIV-KA, 12 stigma and discrimination using RHS 13 and EDS, 14 and mental health factors using PHQ-4 and PTSD. 16 All variables with p < 0.20 were included in the initial multivariable model.…”