A Scale Development Study: The Vitamin D Health Belief Scale According to The Health Belief Model

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to develop Vitamin D Health Belief Scale based on the health belief model in adult women and determine its validity and reliability. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 404 women who were aged between 18 and 65, volunteered to participate in the study, and met study criteria. The theoretical framework of the scale was based on the health belief model. During the scale development stage, exploratory factor analysis and index values were evaluated by using confirmatory factor analysis, item-total correlation, and mean scores. Results: The content validity index of the scale was found as 91.52%. As a result of the factor analysis, the variables were gathered under 6 factors with a total explained variance of 58.22%. Cronbach’s alpha value of the scale was determined as.884. Conclusion: As a result of all analyses, a 5-point Likert-type scale that consisted of 31 items was developed. Six factors were obtained from the scale: perceived sensitivity, caring, health motivation, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy. The total score of the scale gives the Vitamin D Health Belief score. The lowest and highest scores on the scale which consists of 31items are 31 and 155 respectively. It is recommended to use this scale to determine vitamin D health beliefs in adult women.