Translation and evaluation of psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Hypertension Self-Care Activity Level Effects (H-SCALE)

Abstract

Abstract Background & Objectives: High blood pressure is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide. The importance of self-care in controlling hypertension is obvious, and a valid and reliable tool is needed to assess the self-care status of patients with hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Blood Pressure Self-Care Level Questionnaire. Methods: Present methodological study was conducted on 218 patients with hypertension visiting the Clinic of Qom educational and medical centers. Subjects were selected with simple sampling. Data were collected using a self-care behaviors questionnaire, Morisky Medication adherence scale, and a demographic questionnaire. The translation was done from the recommended backward-forward method according to the WHO protocol. Then face and content validity، construct validity were performed (using a comparison of known groups and confirmatory factor analysis). To test reliability, Cronbach's alpha was used. Data analysis was performed by SPSS and smart-PLS software. Results: The correlation between the scores obtained from the self-care behaviors questionnaire and the Morisky Medication adherence scale confirmed the criterion validity. The factor loadings of the self-care behaviors questionnaire were significant in all structures. The factor loadings were higher than 0.5 except for three expressions. The extent of average variance extracted (except feeding structures) was greater than 0.5 which revealed the convergent validity of the named variables. The divergent validity of the questionnaire was confirmed using the Fornell-Larcker criterion and the heterotrait-monotrait ratio (HTMT). Cronbach's alpha coefficient, combined reliability, and index were optimal. Conclusion: According to research findings, the Persian version of the questionnaire has good validity and reliability that can be used as a tool to measure the level of self-care of blood pressure by health care providers.