Hierarchy of hair loss stigma: media portrayals of cancer, alopecia areata, and cancer in Israeli newspapers

Psychometric properties of the chinese version of the value-based stigma inventory (VASI): a translation and validation study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop a culturally adapted Chinese version of the Value-based Stigma Inventory (VASI) and to evaluate its psychometric properties, including reliability and validity, among the general Chinese population.

METHODS

This study is a cross-sectional study. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 708 general citizens from Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China. The VASI's internal consistency, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability were tested to assess the translated scale's reliability. Several validity tests were performed, including expert consultation, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, United States) and AMOS 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, United States).

RESULTS

The Chinese version of the VASI showed good reliability, with a Cronbach's α value of 0.808, and the dimensions ranged from 0.812 to 0.850. Test-retest reliability showed good temporal stability with a value of 0.855, and the split-half reliability value was 0.845, indicating a high degree of consistency. The scale also demonstrated good content validity with a content validity index of 0.952. After conducting exploratory factor analysis, a five-factor structure was identified, including factors of self-realization, personal enrichment, reputation, meritocratic values, and security. In the confirmatory factor analysis, all recommended fit indicators were found to be within the acceptable range, including χ2/DF = 1.338, GFI = 0.960, AGFI = 0.940, RMSEA = 0.031, TLI = 0.985, CFI = 0.989, IFI = 0.989, PGFI = 0.640, and PNFI = 0.729.

CONCLUSION

The Chinese version of the VASI is valid and reliable among the Chinese general public. The five-factor structured scale effectively assessed public stigma against mental illness, including the value orientations associated with personal stigma. Given the harsh and widespread public stigma against mental illness, the findings from the questionnaire may inform the development of future public health education programs. Public health education is needed to reduce the stigma of mental illness, increase public awareness of mental health issues, and mitigate the continued stigmatization of mental illness.

Alopecia Areata: Burden of Disease, Approach to Treatment, and Current Unmet Needs

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune hair loss disorder with variations in distribution, duration, and severity. The disease is chronic and often follows an unpredictable course, frequently leading to stress and anxiety for those who suffer from it. Throughout the years more knowledge has been gained regarding pathogenesis, diagnostic tools, impact on quality of life, as well as treatment strategies for alopecia areata. However, challenges in treating and alleviating the burden of disease remain. In this article, we discuss updates regarding the pathogenesis and treatment of alopecia areata and highlight unmet needs of the condition, including a review of limitations of current treatments, accessibility to management strategies, and the need for disease awareness and advocacy.

Epidemiological Trends in Alopecia Areata at the Global, Regional, and National Levels

Background

No comprehensive studies have been published on the global burden of alopecia areata since 2010.

Objective

We aimed to measure the global, regional, and national incidence of alopecia areata and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by age, sex, and socio-demographic index (SDI) value from 1990 to 2019.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to quantify temporal trends in the age-standardized rates of alopecia areata incidence and DALYs. The correlations between EAPCs in the age-standardized rates and SDI values were also analyzed.

Results

From 1990 to 2019, the alopecia areata incidence number and the associated number of DALYs increased globally by 49.14%, and 49.51%, respectively. The global age-standardized incidence rate decreased (EAPC, −0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.13 to −0.12) and the age-standardized DALY rate showed a downward trend (EAPC, −0.12; 95% CI, −0.13 to −0.11). The largest increases in the age-standardized incidence rate and age-standardized DALY rate were observed in Low SDI quintile and Western Sub-Saharan Africa regions. The regions with the greatest changes in the incidence of alopecia areata were Central Sub-Saharan Africa and Western Sub-Saharan Africa. The three countries with the largest increases in alopecia areata incidence from 1990 to 2019 were Kuwait (EAPC, 0.15), South Sudan (EAPC, 0.12), and Nigeria (EAPC, 0.11). The age-standardized incidence rate was higher in females than in males.

Conclusion

Globally, both the age-standardized incidence rate and age-standardized DALY rate of alopecia areata showed decreasing trends. Future preventive strategies should focus on low-income countries, Central Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Sub-Saharan Africa, Kuwait, South Sudan, Nigeria.