Risk Behavior Assessment – RBA
Measures self-reported drug use and sexual behaviors that put individuals at risk for HIV infection.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Risk Behavior Assessment – RBA was developed by Dennis G. Fisher, Lucy E. Napper, Grace L. Reynolds, Mark E. Johnson (1994). It is designed to measure HIV Risk Behavior. The scale is intended for use with Individuals at risk for HIV/AIDS, including out-of-treatment drug users.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 16 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Sexual Risk Behavior, Substance Use During Sex.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual Risk Behavior | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 | 7 |
| Substance Use During Sex | 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16 | 9 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: numerical_entry = Enter the exact number (e.g., number of days, partners, or times).
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Test-retest reliability coefficients ranged from .07 to .92 depending on the item.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.