Scale Overview
The Beliefs About Preventing HIV/AIDS Scale – BPAS was developed by Cheryl Koopman, Helen Reid, Elizabeth McGarvey, Adelaida Cruz Castillo (1990). It is designed to measure HIV/AIDS Prevention Beliefs. The scale is intended for use with Adolescents.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 28 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: Peer Support for Safe Acts, Perceived Threat, Self-Control, Self-Efficacy.
| Factor / Subscale |
Items |
N |
| Peer Support for Safe Acts |
3,5,6,12,14 |
5 |
| Perceived Threat |
7,8,10,15,18,20,22 |
7 |
| Self-Control |
4,11,13,19,21,24,25,27,28 |
9 |
| Self-Efficacy |
1,2,9,16,17,23,26 |
7 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a 4-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 4 = Strongly Agree).
The scale includes 14 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 28 to 112. Interpretation guidelines:
- Weak endorsement of preventive beliefs: 28 – 56
- Moderate endorsement of preventive beliefs: 57 – 84
- Strong endorsement of preventive beliefs: 85 – 112
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of alpha = .88 (overall scale).
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.