QUESTIONNAIRE TO ASSESS PARENTS’ KNOWLEDGE ABOUT INFANT COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING: CONSTRUCTION AND VALIDITY

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective to construct and validate a questionnaire to assess parents’ knowledge about infant complementary feeding. Method this is a methodological study developed from March 2017 to May 2020 with a sample of experts (6) and parents/guardians of infants (374). It was based on the psychometric framework in which construction, content validity (content validity index), construct validity (factor analysis) and internal and structural consistency analysis (Cronbach’s alpha) and reproducibility (intraclass correlation index) were carried out. Results the questionnaire obtained three versions until reaching its final version with 23 items distributed in two axes: introduction of complementary feeding; preparation and way of eating, reaching an overall CVI of 0.83 in the judges’ analysis. Exploratory factor analysis proved to be adequate (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkim of 0.70 and Bartlett’s test of sphericity with p<0.001). The final Cronbach’s alpha of the 23-item scale was 0.79, demonstrating adequate internal consistency. The intraclass correlation index was 0.615, demonstrating good instrument reproducibility. Conclusion the questionnaire showed evidence of validity to assess parents’ knowledge about infant complementary feeding.