Development and Validation of the Immediate Postpartum Care Adherence Questionnaire: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior among Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

Background: The postpartum period is critical for women and newborns. Many complications, such as deaths, are preventable by utilizing appropriate postpartum care. We aimed to assess healthcare professionals’ adherence to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) immediate postpartum care guidelines, investigating factors influencing their adoption at Jordanian hospitals. Materials and Methods: A methodological study design, developing, and testing the psychometric properties of the Immediate Postpartum Care Adherence Questionnaire (IPCAQ) was created based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, extensive literature review, and the WHO guidelines following a manual construct questionnaire, and using a deductive method. The IPCAQ was developed using four steps: domain identification, scale construction, judgmental evidence, and psychometric evaluation. Results: The final draft of IPCAQ consisted of four domains and 63 items deductively formulated from the theoretical constructs. The domains are attitudes, behavioral intention, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. They were subsumed by four subthemes, general caring assessment, counseling, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. The IPCA showed high content (0.94) and face validity indices (0.97), moderate content scale universal agreement (0.77), and excellent face agreement (0.81) for the 63 items. IPCAQ is a reliable instrument that measures adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines. Conclusions: IPCAQ is reliable and valid in the current sample. The IPCAQ can be used to assess healthcare professionals’ adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines, identify factors influencing the adoption of standardized care to overcome barriers to adherence, and facilitate high-quality care.