Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the health belief model scale for colorectal cancer screening.

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer ranks second among the most prevalent and deadly cancer types for both sexes. Despite having a high mortality rate, colorectal cancer is simultaneously identifiable and preventable through early diagnosis. This study was intended to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Health Belief Model Scale for Colorectal Cancer Screening.

METHODS

This methodological study evaluated the 45-item five-point Likert-type Health Belief Model Scale for Colorectal Cancer Screening. Data collection forms were administered via convenience sampling to 649 participants selected from individuals seeking health services at primary healthcare institutions. The scale's reliability and validity were evaluated via item analyses, content and construct validities, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, the Spearman-Brown formula, and test-retest reliability coefficients. The data set was randomly divided into two subsamples. EFA, reliability analyses (Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, Spearman-Brown Coefficient) and item-total statistics were conducted in sample 1 (n = 324). CFA was conducted in sample 2 (n = 325). Item and scale means and, discriminant validity were calculated and tested using the total sample (N = 649).

RESULTS

According to the resulting four-dimensional structure, the factor loads of the subscale items were 0.48-0.89, and subscales explained 49% of the total variance. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the subscales were 0.804-0.923. The confirmatory factor analysis revealed good fit indices (χ/df = 2.05; RMSEA = 0.06; CFI = 0.95; IFI = 0.95; GFI = 0.80; RMR = 0.08; NFI = 0.91). The subscale means ranged from 2.23 ± 0.72 to 3.60 ± 0.70 while the item means ranged from 1.95 ± 0.81 to 3.80 ± 0.91.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish version of the Health Belief Model Scale for Colorectal Cancer Screening is a valid and reliable measuring tool for Turkish people. Except for barrier scale items, those with low means suggest opportunities for improvement. This scale can be applied in Turkey when measuring individuals' health belief perceptions regarding colorectal cancer screening.