OBJECTIVETo evaluate the Chinese language version of the appraisal questionnaire (AQ) for HIV/AIDS (HIV positive persons).

METHODSThe scale was translated and adapted into Chinese and then reversely translated into English. The internal consistency reliability, structural validity, differential validity and predictive validity were evaluated by prevalence study in the city of Guangzhou.

RESULTSCronbach's alpha coefficient achieved a value ranged from 0.530 to 0.886, with satisfied predicted validity. The regression equation accounted for 24.4% of variance in anxiety, and all factors of cognition accounted for 11.4% of variance, among all factors, only factor one had significant influence on anxiety (t=3.838, P<0.001); the regression equation accounted for 38.6% of variance in depression, and all factors of cognition accounted for 26.0% of variance. Factor I and factor II had significant influence on depression (t=5.707, P<0.001; t = -2.876, P<0.01). The results of differential validity suggested the mean scores of factor III were lower in the group with lower education level and monthly salary. Meanwhile, the persons with monthly salary under 300 yuan RMB had higher mean score of factor I, and the persons with lower academic degree had lower mean score of factor II. The principal-components factor analysis yielded three factors with common factor larger than 1.0, which were threat, challenge and controllability; and the three factors accounted for 62.23% of the total variance.

CONCLUSIONThe AQ Chinese version attained satisfactory reliability and validity. Even considering some essential explanatory words for the Chinese version, the scale might be attempted to use in the population with HIV in our country.