Developing the sexual and reproductive health knowledge scale in emergencies

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to develop the The Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge Scale in Emergencies (SRHKE) to evaluate the sexual and reproductive health knowledge of nurses in exceptional circumstances and cases.Method: This methodological study was conducted with a total of 311 nurses from two hospitals in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey between December 2021 and May 2022. The data were collected using a descriptive information form and SRHKE. The content validity, construct validity, and internal consistency of the scale were tested.Results: The scale had a four-factor structure, and these factors explained 65% of the total variance in the measured variable. It had high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient values were 0.826 for the 1st factor, 0.814 for the 2nd factor, 0.788 for the 3rd factor, 0.723 for the 4th factor, and 0.896 for the total scale). The item-total score correlation values of the scale ranged from 0.479 to 0.659. Pearson's correlation coefficients calculated for the evaluation of construct validity ranged from 0.519 to 0.749 (p < 0.005).Conclusion: SRHKE has high validity and reliability. The scale can be used by nurses in Turkish society to determine their levels of sexual and reproductive health knowledge in emergencies.