Validity and reliability of the European health literacy child form in Turkish children

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the European Health Literacy Scale Child Form in Turkish children and to examine the instrument’s psychometric properties. Design and methods: A total of 843 students aged 9–11 years in primary and secondary school were included in this scale adaptation study. In the validity analyses of the Health Literacy Scale Child Form-Turkish form (HLS-Child-Q15-TR), language and content validity were used to determine cultural compatibility, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used in structural analyses. Reliability was investigated by examining internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Results: The content validity of the HLS-Child-Q15-TR was found to be high. The model fit values of the confirmatory factor analysis results of the three-factor model consisting of health care, disease prevention and health promotion dimensions of the HLS-Child-Q15-TR were found to be satisfactory (x2/df = 2.68, CFI = 0.945, GFI = 0.965, and RMSEA = 0.045). HLS-Child-Q15-TR item-total correlations were above 0.30 and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.831. The test-retest correlation coefficient of the HLS-Child-Q15-TR was 0.98 and stable over time. Conclusions: HLS-Child-Q15-TR is valid and reliable in Turkish children aged 9–11 years. It is recommended that the valid and reliable HLS-Child-Q15-TR be used to measure the health literacy levels of Turkish children under 12 years of age. Practice implications: HLS-Child-Q15-TR valid and reliable instrument for use with Turkish children aged 9–11 years. HLS-Chıld-Q15-TR will make an important contribution to the Turkish culture in evaluating the health literacy levels of children 9–11 years age in Turkey.