Validity and Reliability Study in Turkish COVID-19 Literacy Scale

Abstract

Background: It is critical to conduct studies on the evaluation of COVID-19 health literacy in different cultures. Health literacy can make it easier to distinguish between reliable information about COVID-19 and misinformation, empowering individuals to make illuminated health decisions and to practice healthy and protective behaviours. Objective: The aim of this study is to verify the validity and reliability of COVID-19 Health Literacy Scale (COVID-19-HLS) for Turkish. Methods: This was a cross-sectional-descriptive study. The sample was randomly divided into two groups for factor analysis. A total of 712 individuals were included for exploratory (n=350) and confirmatory (n=362) factor analysis. The data were gathered by using the COVID-19-HLS and the Personal Variables Form. Language validity, content validity, item analyses, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to determine the validity and reliability of COVID-19-HLS. Results: Internal consistency reliability of the scale was found as 0.94. Item-total score correlation values of the scale were between 0.21 and 0.70, and the intra-class correlation coefficient was determined as 0.933. It was found that the item factor loads varied between 0.735 and 0.456 and the four-factor structure of the scale was found to be acceptable. Conclusion: In line with the analyses, it was shown that the scale is a valid and reliable instrument for Turkish society.