Psychometric validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Body Image Scale – HIV for people living with HIV/AIDS

Introduction: Body Image can be defined as the mental representation of body identity. The surroundings, gaze other, they emotions, integrity, and our own fragility are elements this representation. social stigma caused by changes in people living with HIV / AIDS may more intense than fear death itself, being important to assess impact these course treatment. Objective: To perform psychometric validation Brazilian Portuguese version Scale - for a sample Brazilians, both sexes, AIDS. Methods: total 1050 patients were recruited from São Bernardo do Campo HIV/AIDS program, aged between 18 78 years. Confirmatory factor analysis using Unweighted Least Square listwise deletion was used determine adherence data models tested. Results: Adequate coefficients internal reliability evidence construct validity established BIS-HIV unifactorial model. Conclusion:This scale, evidenced qualities, provides useful tool quantitative investigations image context extends possibility future cross-cultural research.