Reliability and Validity of the Reduced Spanish Version of the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale

Abstract

ObjectiveTo translate the Iowa Infant Feeding Scale (IIFAS) into Spanish, to test its psychometric properties, and to explore item reduction for the Spanish version. DesignInstrumental study. SettingSix hospitals in eastern Spain. ParticipantsA convenience sample of 1,354 pregnant women was recruited. MethodsThe IIFAS was translated using forward and back translation. Dimensional structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the Spanish IIFAS version were assessed. Criteria to improve the reliability of the scale and the predictive power of the items were used to reduce the scale. ResultsStatistics on the psychometric properties suggested the need for item reduction. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the nine-item final version of the Spanish IIFAS (IIFAS-S) was 0.792. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a unidimensional structure. Demographic response patterns and correlations with the IIFAS-S scale provided further evidence of construct validity. Pregnancy IIFAS-S scores significantly predicted breastfeeding rates and exclusivity. ConclusionThe results of this study indicated that the Spanish translation of the IIFAS is a valid and reliable measure of women's attitudes toward breastfeeding.