An application of factor analysis on a 24-item scale on the attitudes towards AIDS precautions using Pearson, Spearman and Polychoric correlation matrices

Abstract

The 24-item scale has been used extensively to assess the attitudes towards AIDS precautions. This study investigated the usefulness and validity of the instrument in a South African setting, fourteen years after the development of the instrument. If a new structure could be found statistically, the HIV/AIDS prevention strategies could be more effective in aiding campaigns to change attitudes and sexual behaviour.