Design and validation of the Risk Perception Scale for Sexual Behavior in Ecuadorian Youth

Abstract

Introduction: Being able to perceive the risk posed by some behaviors is associated with making protective and health-promoting decisions. Although this relationship has been shown to be consistent in the case of sexual behaviors, there is no instrument culturally adapted to the Ecuadorian context that evaluates this type of perceptions in adolescents and young people. The aim of the study was to design the “Risk Perception Scale for Sexual Behavior in Ecuadorian Youth” and analyze its psychometric pro-perties. Method: 1822 university students participated, aged between 16 and 25 years. The final scale contains 27 items. Results: The exploratory factor analysis determined the presence of four subscales: Perception of risk regarding sexual behavior; Perception of condom use; Knowledge of the partner's sexual history and Source of information on sexuality. The confirmatory factor analysis corroborated the factor structure with moderate adjustment. The instrument reliability results showed excellent internal consistency. Likewise, a high stabi-lity was observed, guaranteeing test-retest reliability. Conclusion: A reliable and valid instrument is presented for evaluating the ability of young people to discern which behaviors in the context of sexuality could pose a risk or protection to their health.