Validation of sexually transmitted disease-related stigma and shame scale in Nepalese women

Background: Stigma and shame associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are known to adversely impact patients’ psychosocial well-being and treatment outcomes. However, there is limited research on this topic among Nepali women. This study aimed to validate a Nepali version of the STD-related stigma and shame scale in Nepali women. Methods: The STD-related stigma and shame scale was translated and modified into Nepali. A total of 426 Nepali women, aged 30–60, were recruited using snowball sampling from two municipalities in the Kavrepalanchok district of Nepal. Data were collected through telephone interviews and recorded using KoboToolbox. Item-total correlation was used to assess item significance, while Pearson correlation examined shared characteristics among subscales. Analysis of variance was employed to evaluate construct validity. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) assessed the model fit, and Cronbach’s α was calculated to determine the internal consistency of the translated scale. Results: The internal consistency of the Nepali STD-related stigma and shame scale was good; the corresponding Cronbach’s α for stigma and shame were 0.891 and 0.859, respectively. CFA confirmed the two-factor structure with acceptable model fit: root mean square error of approximation = 0.09, goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.92, adjusted goodness of fit index = 0.88, comparative fit index = 0.94, Tucker–Lewis index = 0.92, normed fit index = 0.93, and chi-square/degree of freedom ratio (χ 2 /df) = 4.9. Stigma (2.46, P = 0.02) and shame (2.85, P = 0.02) scores were higher among women aged ≥49 years. Those without formal education had greater stigma (1.24, P < 0.01) and shame (2.92, P < 0.01). Women involved in agriculture also scored higher on stigma (2.46, P = 0.01) and shame (2.80, P = 0.03). Conclusions: The internal reliability and model fit of the Nepali STD-related stigma and shame scale were satisfactory. The measure is appropriate for measuring stigma and shame associated with STDs in Nepali women.