Reliability and validity study of the childbirth skills self-efficacy scale

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a questionnaire scale to self-assess the normal childbirth skills. The study was designed as a cross-sectional and methodological. Participants were drawn from two universities in the Aegean region of western Turkey. The study sample consisted of 390 3rd- and 4th-year midwifery students. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form and the 36-item draft version of the Childbirth Skills Self-Efficacy Scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed within the scope of validity. Reliability was evaluated with the Cronbach's alpha method and item-total correlations. A five-factor structure which explained 69.09% of the total variance was obtained by factor analysis. The dimensions indicated by the 5-factor structure were named as follows: delivery preparation and support (10 items), pelvic examination (3 items), vaginal examination (6 items), intervention during delivery (5 items), and postpartum management (10 items). Model fit indices were at an acceptable level. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.96. The Childbirth Skills Self-Efficacy Scale can provide an acceptable measurement tool for determining midwifery students’ self-efficacy related to their childbirth skills.