Introduction: Transmitted via sexual intercourse, blood, or breast milk, HIV compromises the immune system and can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) if left untreated. HIV anxiety is the fear or worry about contracting or being diagnosed with HIV, a concern often amplified by pervasive social stigma and misinformation. In settings where HIV stigma remains a significant public health barrier, such as Turkey, valid measurement tools are crucial for effective intervention. To measure this phenomenon, HIV Anxiety Scale (HAS) is developed in 2025, which demonstrated good factor structure, acceptable validity, and excellent internal consistency.
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to adapt and validate the Turkish version of the HAS.
Method: After obtaining permission, the scale was translated into Turkish, reviewed by experts, and back-translated for approval, ensuring linguistic and conceptual equivalence. Data from 300 adults will be collected online. Convergent and divergent validity will be tested using related psychological scales, and confirmatory factor analysis will assess the factor structure. It is hypothesized that the Turkish version of the HAS will demonstrate strong validity, reliability, and factor consistency.
Results & Conclusions: This study aims to fill a major gap in Turkish mental health research by providing the first standardized tool assessing this specific anxiety, which will enable accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment planning, support future epidemiological and psychological research, and contribute to cross-cultural understanding. Clinically, it may reduce unnecessary HIV testing, improve care efficiency, and enhance overall public mental health.