Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Reproductive Autonomy Scale

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the Reproductive Autonomy Scale (RES), which is a measurement tool that will determine the views of women in Turkey regarding reproductive autonomy by adapting it to the Turkish language and culture. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, methodological research study. A purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit 237 women who applied to the gynecology polyclinic between February 2019 and August 2019. Results: The consistency of the scale, which was translated into Turkish and then back to English, was determined with expert opinion (Kendall W =0.101; p>0.05). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.72 for the total scale and 0.70 to 0.85 for the subscales. Factor analysis revealed three subscales that explained 58.4% of the total variance. Based on the confirmatory factor analysis, the goodness of fit index was 0.92, the comparative fit index was 0.95, and the non-normed fit index was 0.94. Conclusion: The RAS is valid and reliable for the determination of reproductive autonomy among Turkish women. These results suggested that RAS could be used in family planning programs to identify coercion or barriers against contraception, understand the limitations of reproductive autonomy, and improve women's health.