Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient Research Articles

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Impulsive Behavior Scale of Barratt on pre-hospital personnel

Introduction: Impulsivity means acting with the least thought towards future behaviors or acting based on thoughts that are not the best option for a person or others. This study was conducted to investigate psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Impulsive Behavior Scale (IBS) of Barratt on pre-hospital personnel of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2023. Materials and Methods: This methodological study was conducted 18 pre-hospital emergency centers of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences during 2022-2023. In this study, the Persian version of the IBS has been used. Face and content validity of the scale in this study was confirmed using qualitative and quantitative methods, and construct validity was confirmed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated by Cronbach's alpha and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for each field and the scale. Results: The IBS had three unplanned, motor and attentional subscales with 23 items and the varimax rotation showed variance of 52.06%. In CFA, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was equal to 0.093 and normalized fit index (NFI), comparative fit index (CFI), goodness of fit (GFI) and incremental fit index (IFI) were higher than 0.9. Cronbach's alpha coefficient in the scale was 0.85%, and the intra-subject correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.84%. Conclusion: The study results showed that the scale for pre-hospital personnel had the required validity and reliability, and it can be used for the impulsive behavior in pre-hospital personnel.

Validation of Nutrition Literacy Questionnaire for High School Students

Background: Nutrition literacy is the individuals' motivation and ability to obtain, process, and understand nutrition information and the skills needed in order to make appropriate nutrition decisions. The present study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the Chongqing Middle School Nutrition Literacy Scale (CM-NLS). Methods: The CM-NLS questionnaire was translated into Farsi and then back-translated, and its face validity and quantitative and qualitative content validity were investigated in a descriptive-cross-sectional study. This review was conducted using the opinions of expert faculty members. Besides, the Persian version was tested in a sample of 400 students of the first grade of high school in Bandar Anzali city. For this purpose, two schools were randomly selected and sampled using census method. Cronbach's alpha test method was used to examine reliability, and confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate construct validity (RMSEA=0.062). Results: In checking face validity, changes were made in the questionnaire, and some items were removed in content validity evaluation by calculating content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI). In reliability analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated as 0.74 for functional literacy, 0.82 for interactive literacy, and 0.84 for critical literacy. The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit to measure the construct validity. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained, the CM-NLS questionnaire with 33 items, is a valid and reliable tool and can be used to measure the nutrition literacy of high school students.

Brucellosis Prevention Questionnaire (BPQ): Adaptation to Turkish Culture, Validity and Reliability Study.

Brucellosis is the most common zoonosis worldwide. Prevention of brucellosis is based on surveillance and prevention of risk factors. The aim of this methodological study, conducted with breeders living in Kütahya, was to perform the Turkish adaptation, validity and reliability study of the Brucellosis Prevention Questionnaire (BPQ). This methodological study was conducted on breeders living in the villages of Kütahya in Türkiye between May and November 2021. Cultural adaptation-language validity and construct (concept) validity of the scale were evaluated. Item total score correlation, internal consistency, and test-retest correlation was used to evaluate the reliability of the scale. According to factor analysis, the variance explained in the five-dimensional structure was 61.8%. A positive correlation was found between the mean BPQ score and Health Perception Scale scores (r = 0.170; P = 0.005). Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the BPQ was found to be 0.944. Findings from validity and reliability studies show that the Turkish version of the BPQ is a valid and reliable scale in Turkish society and culture.

Persian version of the McHale co‐parenting scale: The evaluation of the psychometric properties

AbstractValidation of the MacHale Co‐parenting Scale (1997) was examined in a sample of 192 Persian‐speaking parents who had children in primary school. Translation of this scale was performed using the forward–backward method. To assess reliability, internal consistency was used after translating the items into Persian. Face validity, content validity and structural validity were also applied to ensure tool validity. The results indicated that Ballit's sphericity test yielded a value of 1153.138 at a significance level of p < .05. Using varimax rotation, three factors (Family Integrity, Consistency and Conflict) were identified with eigenvalues greater than 1 and factor loadings higher than 0.5. The total factors explained 58.18 per cent of the variance in the data. Additionally, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the entire questionnaire was 0.84. The Persian version of the co‐parenting questionnaire has satisfactory psychometric properties with acceptable reliability and validity for measuring joint parenting among Iranian parents in terms of family integrity, consistency and conflict dimensions.

Psychometric Properties of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Self-Efficacy Questionnaire in Heart Failure Patients: A Cross Sectional Study Using Health Action Process Approach Perspective.

The present study aimed to develop and psychometrically evaluate the exercise self-efficacy tool within the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) framework among heart failure patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. This study assessed 205 patients who had suffered heart attacks at the Shahid Chamran Cardiac Rehabilitation Center of Isfahan. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to evaluate the construct. Internal reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha. Additionally, external reliability was measured through a test-retest approach. EFA identified four factors within the self-efficacy questions (task self-efficacy 1, task self-efficacy 2, coping self-efficacy, and recovery self-efficacy), which accounted for 70.1% of the total variance explained. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were as follows: 0.836 for the first factor, 0.896 for the second factor, 0.921 for the third factor, 0.914 for the fourth factor, and 0.9 for the overall instrument. The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.901 for the first factor, 0.887 for the second factor, 0.826 for the third factor, and 0.885 for the fourth factor. The cardiac rehabilitation self-efficacy questionnaire exhibited high validity, reliability, and desirable item commonalities. Therefore, it can be effectively employed in pertinent HAPA-based studies involving heart failure patients.

Development and psychometric properties of the Japanese version of Child and Youth Resilience Measure-Revised (CYRM-R) among Japanese youth

Objectives Resilience is the ability to navigate adversity and recover from challenging situations. Developing resilience at a young age promotes mental health and provides benefits throughout one's lifespan. Validated measures for assessing resilience at a young age are required in both clinical practice and epidemiological studies. The Child and Youth Resilience Measure-Revised (CYRM-R) is a tool used worldwide to assess resilience in children and young people. The objective of this study was to develop a Japanese version of the CYRM-R and investigate its psychometric properties.Methods Children in grades 5-9 were recruited via a two-stage cluster random sampling taken from the Japan Adolescent and Youth (JAY) Longitudinal Cohort Study. The participants completed the Japanese version of the CYRM-R . The CYRM-R consists of two subscales, personal resilience and caregiver resilience, with a total of 17 items. The linguistic validity of the Japanese version of the CYRM-R was ensured through translation and back-translation.Cronbach's alpha coefficients were examined for the total score and the two subscales to assess the internal consistency of the Japanese version of the CYRM-R scale. In addition, correlation coefficients of the subscales were calculated. For factorial validity, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the same two-factor structure as in the original version to assess the model's goodness of fit. Results A total of 2,266 children (50.0% male) were included in the study. The overall Cronbach's alpha of the Japanese version of the CYRM-R obtained from this sample was 0.956; For the personal resilience subscale, Cronbach's alpha was 0.932; for the caregiver resilience subscale, it was 0.919. Significant positive correlations were also found between subscales (r = 0.827, p < 0.001). A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using a two-factor structure for validity. The model fit was good (RMSEA = 0.085, SRMR = 0.041, CFI = 0.934).Conclusion The Japanese version of the CYRM-R maintained the same two-factor structure as the original version. The study findings showed that the Japanese version of the CYRM-R had adequate internal consistency and factorial validity for assessing resilience in children and youth. Therefore, this scale is a valuable tool for identifying individuals or groups at risk in terms of children's resilience and for evaluating the effectiveness of support and interventions.

Slovenian Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Content Validation of the Updated Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H2).

The updated Oslo Sports Trauma Research Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H2) has been translated into a limited set of languages and lacks full validation of its new measures. To (1) translate, cross-culturally adapt, and evaluate the measurement properties of the OSTRC-H2 for the Slovenian population and (2) investigate the construct validity for the severity score and time lost due to a health problem. Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. The OSTRC-H2 was translated from English to Slovenian (OSTRC-H2-SLO) according to international guidelines. A 15-week study was conducted among 188 elite athletes, with a test-retest performed in the 10th week. Internal consistency, reliability, content validity, feasibility, and potential ceiling effects were investigated. Internal consistency was measured using the Cronbach alpha coefficient, while reliability was measured with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was measured with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (r S). There was a 95% response rate and an 18% mean weekly prevalence of health problems. The OSTRC-H2-SLO showed excellent test-retest reliability (ICC, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.67-0.99]), with a Cronbach α of .93. A strong positive correlation was found between the OSTRC-H2-SLO severity score and days lost due to an acute injury (r S = 0.754), overuse injury (r S = 0.785), and illness (r S = 0.894) (P < .001 for all). Moderate to strong negative correlations were observed between severity score and total load (training and competition load in hours) as well as between days lost and total load (P < .001 for all). The OSTRC-H2-SLO was found to be valid, reliable, and well accepted among Slovenian athletes. The authors confirmed the questionnaire's construct validity and identified total load as an indicator of an increase in the severity score. NCT05471297 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Turkish Validity and Reliability Study of the Sustainability Attitudes in Nursing Survey 2

PurposeIt is important to examine the attitudes of future nurses towards adopting a sustainability approach in their nursing practice. This study aimed to test the Sustainability Attitudes in Nursing Survey 2 psychometrically. MethodsThe methodological, descriptive study was conducted in November 2019 on nursing students (n = 286) at a university in Turkey. Data were analysed for reliability and validity tests. Statistics of the linguistic content validity analysis and Exploratory/ Confirmatory Factor Analysis were performed to determine the scale's validity. Cronbach Alpha coefficient, floor and ceiling impacts, Tukey’s test, and Hotelling’s T2 test, test-retest reliability, were determined for the scale's reliability. ResultsThe content validity index of the scale, which consists of five items and a one dimension, is .98. Factor loadings were above 0.30, all the fit indices were> 0.95, χ2/df was 1.58 and the root means square error of approximation was 0.045. Cronbach's α was .75. The floor and ceiling impacts were 0.0% and 3.1%. In Tukey’s test, F was 3.43 and p was 0.064. In Hotelling’s T2 test, Hotelling’s T2 was 265.59 and F was 65.68 (p < .001). Item-total correlation coefficients were between .37- .63. The test-retest correlation coefficient was .39. ConclusionsThe scale is a valid and reliable instrument in the Turkish language. It is advised to use the scale in determining attitudes towards sustainability among nursing students, evaluating the effectiveness of training, and taking student opinions in curriculum revisions. Also, the study allowed cross-country comparisons and it is thought that it can guide studies on the inclusion of sustainability principles in nursing practices.

Validation of the Thai translation of the attitudes toward euthanasia scale

In Thailand, euthanasia has been a controversial topic for several decades. The assessment of attitudes toward euthanasia among medical students who will become future medical practitioners is essential for the progression of future legislation and practice. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Attitude Towards Euthanasia scale in the Thai context and measure its validity and reliability. First, the scale was translated into Thai by certified translation centers using the forward-backward technique. This cross-sectional study involved 112 Thai students. Self-reported online questionnaires and the Attitude Towards Euthanasia scale were used for data collection. The psychometric properties of the scale were analyzed using internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's Omega coefficient), reproducibility, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha for the Thai Attitude Towards Euthanasia scale was 0.83, and the reproducibility was acceptable, with no statistically significant difference between the first and subsequent responses for each item. The two-factor model was extracted using exploratory factor analysis, and the values of the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin criterion and Bartlett's test of sphericity all fell within a satisfactory range. Two- and four-factor models were analyzed for the confirmatory factor analysis, and the latter provided more acceptable model fit indices. In conclusion, the Thai Attitude Towards Euthanasia scale is valid for assessing attitudes toward euthanasia among Thai medical students.

Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Substance Use Stigma Mechanism Scale.

Stigma against people who have alcohol and drug problems severely affects their health and well-being. An instrument based on stigma theory assessing individual-level stigma is essential for a comprehensive understanding of their stigma. We evaluated the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Substance Use Stigma Mechanism Scale (SU-SMS-J) among a population who had alcohol or drug use problems. Adults with experience in substance use disorders from psychiatry outpatient departments and rehabilitation facilities participated in the self-administered questionnaire survey. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test the structural validity of the 5-factor model proposed in other language versions, and factor loadings and correlation between the subscales were confirmed. The correlations between the SU-SMS-J and psychometric properties related to substance use (e.g., severity of substance use, motivation to change) were investigated to assess concurrent validity. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficients. Data from 126 participants were analyzed. The 5-factor model was acceptable with good or reasonable model fit indices. The correlations between subscales were weak to moderate, and this result suggested the SU-SMS-J assessed different but related components of stigma: enacted, anticipated, and internalized stigma from different stigma sources (family and healthcare workers). The SU-SMS-J and subscales showed moderate concurrent validity. Internal consistency was mostly sufficient, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.86 for all items and 0.66-0.93 for subscales. The SU-SMS-J is valid and reliable for use among populations with substance use problems in various settings in Japan.

Validation of the Internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy scale among Romanian technical students.

This study's aim is to evaluate the Romanian version of the Internet Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy Scale (IESES), a new assessment scale for online entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and estimate its psychometric properties in a sample of engineering students (N = 644; 317 females). The scale was translated and adapted into Romanian through a forward-backward method. The factorial structure was investigated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and multigroup-CFA for gender invariance. The scale was associated with instruments that measure entrepreneurial intention both traditionally and in the online environment (Individual Entrepreneurial Internet Scale and Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire) and components from the Theory of Planned Behavior (attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control). McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were used to assess reliability. Traditional statistics are complemented by network analysis. Results show that adequate matching items for the 3-factor model and complete gender invariance is maintained. The three factors are associated with the internet and traditional entrepreneurial intention, and the components from the theory of planned behavior (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control). Internal consistency is excellent because α and ω values range between 0.834 and 0.919. In addition, discriminant validity was demonstrated. The network analysis suggests the relevance of technology utilization in the self-efficacy of online businesses in the case of engineering students. Overall, findings enable us to conclude that the Romanian version of the IESES is a valid, accurate instrument that can be implemented to evaluate self-efficacy related to the successful execution of an online business.

Establishing the effects of training and development on performance monitoring for implementation of performance contracting in the government ministries in Kenya

The study aimed to establish the effect of training on performance monitoring for implementation of performance contracting in the government ministries in Kenya. A mixed-method type of design was adopted. In sampling staff to be interviewed, top and middle-level management totalling 831 were identified. Thirty per cent of the 831 (249 staff members) considered it to be representative enough. The study adopted descriptive and inferential statistics. The study used ANOVA, regression analysis, and correlation to analyse the relationship between variables. Reliability of instruments was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, whose alpha value is equal to or greater than 0.70, which is considered sufficient. Content Validity Ratio (CVR) was calculated for each item, and items with a CVR value below 0.99 were eliminated. The final instrument comprised 22 items with CVR values ranging from 0.99 to 1.00. The study found that a unit standard deviation increase in effective training and development was likely to increase the standard deviation of performance monitoring by 0.096 on implementation of performance contracting. The study concludes that training and development have an effect on performance contracting in government ministries in Kenya. The study further recommends that transfer of training and development be included in the next review of the policy.

E-Tendering and Performance of Humanitarian United Nations Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations in South Sudan

Purpose: Manual procurement processes are expensive in terms of human resource cost, purchasing cost, wastage due to errors of commission or omissions, cause of delays in delivery of goods, services, and works which accounts for 40% of losses due to inefficiencies, and attracts corruption in the system amongst others. The study aimed to assess the effect of e-tendering on performance of humanitarian United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations in South Sudan. Methodology: The study methodology adopted an explanatory research design of cross-sectional type for the population under study. There were over 235 National Non-governmental organizations, 150 International organizations in addition to over 15 United Nations agencies, bringing the total target population to 400 organizations. This study targeted 400 humanitarian organizations operating in South Sudan. Therefore, the sample size of 200 humanitarian organizations operating in South Sudan was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Reliability findings indicated that e-tendering had a Cronbach Alpha Coefficient of 0.873, and performance had 0.859. The study established that e-tendering had a positive and significant relationship with performance significant (β=0.282, P=0.000). Conclusion: The study concluded that e-tendering has a positive and significant effect on performance of humanitarian United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations. This study hence suggested that all NGOs and humanitarian agencies should ensure they adopt the use of e-tendering in their solicitation and sourcing processes in conducting procurement activities. The study cited advantages such saving time, wide coverage of markets and reaching more potential suppliers and finally save environment from printing more paper works attaining sustainable procurement practice.

Validation of ELPO-PT: A Risk Assessment Scale for Surgical Positioning Injuries in the Portuguese Context.

Surgical procedures carry inherent risks, including injuries from surgical positioning, which impact patient safety and healthcare quality. An instrument to assess and prevent these injuries is essential. This study aimed to validate and culturally adapt the ELPO-PT for the Portuguese population to ensure its applicability and effectiveness in assessing the risk of injury from surgical positioning. A validation study was conducted with 126 adult patients undergoing surgical procedures at a central hospital in northern Portugal. Statistical analyses, including the calculation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient, assessed the internal reliability of the scale. Additionally, sensitivity and specificity analyses evaluated the ELPO-PT's diagnostic accuracy in identifying patients at risk of developing positioning-related injuries. The validation showed a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.782, indicating reasonable internal reliability. Sensitivity analysis revealed an 85% accuracy rate in identifying patients at risk of positioning injuries, while specificity analysis demonstrated a 90% accuracy rate for patients not at risk. The ELPO-PT is a valid and reliable instrument for aiding nurses in clinical decision-making, with significant sensitivity and specificity in identifying the risk of positioning-related injuries, including pressure ulcers, in adult patients during the intraoperative period. Its implementation is expected to be beneficial in healthcare settings, contributing to the prevention of complications associated with surgical positioning.

The QSP-31: a multidimensional questionnaire for assessing psychosocial / psychodynamic aspects in patients with somatoform pain

ABSTRACT Somatoform pain poses major challenges in medicine. There is a lack of quantitative instruments that systematically assess psychosocial aspects of somatoform pain. A better knowledge of such aspects could contribute (1) to gaining further insight into the relationship between psychodynamic and psychosocial components of pain, and (2) to facilitating the development and monitoring of improved interventions targeting psychodynamic and psychosocial mechanisms of pain. An item pool on biopsychosocial aspects of pain was developed and completed by 200 patients with somatoform pain disorder. In addition, anxiety (STAI), depression (BDI II), somatization (SOMS-2), and quality of life (SF-36) were assessed. As compared to norm data, patients reported higher scores for anxiety (STAI), depression (BDI-II) somatization (SMOS-2), and lower quality of life (SF-36). Applying item and factor analyses, a new questionnaire (QSP-31) was developed to identify psychodynamic and psychosocial aspects of pain. There was evidence for the construct validity of the six scales through confirmatory factor analysis: Relationships between pain and negative emotions, Negative attitudes towards help-seeking, Negative pain-related childhood experiences, Negative attitudes towards own body, Negative aspects of the doctor-patient relationship, and Perceived pain control. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for these scales lay within the range of .81-.92. Regarding criterion validity, moderate correlations in expected directions were found between all scales and anxiety, depression, somatic symptom severity, and quality of life, except for the scale Perceived pain control. The QSP-31 appears promising for the identification of relevant psychosocial aspects associated with the experience of pain and might be a useful instrument.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and scale validation to assess professionalism among medical students

Introduction: the professionalism of the physician should be present not only in the technical attributes, such as decision making and clinical reasoning, but also personal and interpersonal attributes, such as empathy, ethics, commitment, sense of social responsibility, altruism, teamwork and confidentiality. However, these attributes should be worked already during the medical course and includes the need to be assessed. Objective: To translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate a scale to assess professionalism in medical students. Method: We conducted a methodological validation study of the Professionalism Assessment Scale for Medical Students developed in Slovenia and authorized by the main author. The study was developed in four phases: translation and retranslation phase; cross-cultural adaptation phase; test and retest phase; and final application phase of the scale. The study population in the final phase consisted of a medical student and the sample was of convenience. The questionnaire was developed through the open LimeSurvey software and available via link in social networks. Data analysis was performed in Epi Info 7.2.4.0 and study approved by the institution’s Research Ethics Committee. Results: 82 students participated, with a mean age of 21 years (SD = 1.8) and predominance of males. Before answering the Professional Assessment Scale (PAS), 73.2% said they knew how to define what professionalism was and 47.3% said they had a medical relative. Participants achieved very high PAS scores, with only 4 participants (4.88%) scoring less than 100. The mean score was 107 on a scale of no more than 110 points. The PAS presented a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.7. Conclusion: The study revealed that the students of the educational institution have a high degree of professionalism and the validation of the scale in its final stage reached an acceptable level of reliability and can be used in other studies.

The effect of an educational program based on the strategy of generating ideas (Scamper) in the teaching of history on developing critical thinking skills among gifted students in the center of Erbil Governorate.

The research aims to identify the impact of an educational program based on the strategy of generating ideas (Scamper) in developing critical thinking skills among gifted students. The experimental approach and the two equal groups with pretest and posttest design have been adopted which requires the two groups, one experimental group and the other control group, and two zero hypotheses were formulated to achieve the research objectives. The research community consisted of students of the seventh grade of day schools in the center of Erbil Governorate for the academic year (2021-2022), where (Shinirwe Mixed Basic Education School for the Gifted Students) was chosen, and two classes were chosen randomly from four classes in the seventh grade to be: (a) The Experimental Group and (b) The Control Group, where it included (40) students, of whom (20) twenty students were distributed to the experimental group and (20) other twenty students were distributed to the control group. The experimental group studied according to the educational program based on the strategy of generating ideas (Scamper), while the control group studied according to the traditional (usual) method. To achieve the objectives of the research, the critical thinking standard of (Watson and Kleiser) was used where the number of its paragraphs in its final form has reached to (147) paragraphs distributed on critical thinking skills (hypothesis skill, interpretation skill, discussion skill, reasoning skill, conclusion skill). This is after verifying the validity and reliability using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, where the reliability coefficient was (0.87) and the reliability coefficient by the two-half method, and after its modification, the value of the stability coefficient was (0.85). Among the most important results reached are the following: There is a statistically significant difference at the level of significance (a = 0.05) between the average grades of the experimental group and the control group in developing critical thinking skills, in favor of the experimental group. In light of the results reached, the two researchers recommended the necessity of adopting an educational program based on the (Scamper) strategy in teaching history, and a number of proposals were proposed.

Psychometric Properties of the TWente Engagement with Ehealth Technologies Scale (TWEETS) Among Patients with Hypertension in Italy.

Engagement with mobile health (mHealth) technologies among patients with hypertension is linked to reduced blood pressure and improved patient understanding of the condition. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the TWente Engagement with Ehealth Technologies Scale (TWEETS) in an Italian cohort with hypertension. This study is the first attempt to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the TWEETS in this population. The study was conducted in three phases. The first phase encompassed the translation and cultural adaptation of the TWEETS to the Italian setting. The second phase involved an expert panel evaluating the instrument's face and content validities. The third phase wasa cross-sectional study aiming to test construct validity and reliability. Adults diagnosed with hypertension were eligible for participation. Additional inclusion criteria included stable antihypertensive treatment for at least 2 weeks before enrolment and the provision of written informed consent. Patients were taught how to use two mHealth devices using the teach-back method. A total of 131 patients were enrolled. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the TWEETS had a one-factor structure and a good level of fit. Cronbach's alpha coefficients suggested good internal consistency. The findings indicate that the TWEETS is a valuable tool for assessing the engagement of patients with hypertension with mHealth devices. Further assessment is needed in various cohorts to confirm the psychometric equivalence of the construct across different groups with hypertension.

Extensiveness of Teachers’ Workload in Determining the Acquisition of Kiswahili Reading Skills Among Pupils in Public Primary Schools in Tanga City Council, Tanzania

The study investigated the extensiveness of teachers’ workload in determining the acquisition of Kiswahili reading skills among public primary school pupils in Tanga City Council, Tanzania. The study employed a convergent design under mixed methods research approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously and compare the results to obtain a more complete understanding of the research problem. The study targeted 80 public primary schools, 80 head teachers, 264 Kiswahili subject teachers, 24 Ward Education Officer and 1 City Council Primary Education Officer. Both probability and non-probability sampling techniques were employed to obtain respondents who participated in this study. The study involved 8 public primary schools, 8 head teachers, 88 Kiswahili reading skills teachers, 8 WEO and 1 CCPEO. Data were collected using questionnaires, and interview guide. Data collection instruments were validated by Mwenge Catholic University research experts. A pilot study was conducted in two public secondary schools. The reliability of questionnaires for Likert scale items was determined using Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient where reliability coefficient r= 0.892 for Kiswahili subject teachers questionnaire was obtained. The reliability for qualitative data was established through peer debriefing and triangulation. The study adhered to research ethical principles throughout the research process. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics particularly using frequencies, percentages and mean with the aid of SPSS Version 22. The study concludes that due to their overwhelming responsibilities, teachers find it challenging to give students timely and insightful feedback on their reading progress. Teachers find it challenging to plan and implement enjoyable reading activities that would greatly enhance their pupils Kiswahili reading skills. Teachers are unable to give each pupils the individualized support and attention they need to improve their reading skills in Kiswahili, leaving them with little time and energy. The study recommends that heads of public primary schools can support teachers in working less by making sure that teachers have enough time to plan, organize, assign reading tasks, and help pupils who are failing with learning. The administration of public primary school should make sure that the school has enough teaching and learning resources for Kiswahili reading instruction.

COPD empowerment scale: a scale development and validatıon study

Abstract Background The fact that COPD symptoms seriously affect daily life makes it different from other chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to develop the COPD Empowerment Scale and test its psychometric properties. Methods This study, carried out with a methodological design, was carried out in a Chest Diseases Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, between June 2023 and March 2024. A scale item pool was created by literature review and semi-structured interviews with COPD patients, and opinions were obtained from 16 experts. The draft scale, consisting of 55 items, was applied to 30 COPD patients as a pilot study. The draft scale was applied to 275 COPD patients and its psychometric properties were tested. The validity of the scale was evaluated by Content Validity Index (CGI) and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Its reliability was evaluated by internal consistency analysis (Cronbach Alpha coefficient), item-total score correlations and test-retest analyses. Statistical significance level was accepted as p &amp;lt; 0.05. Results The KGI of the scale was found to be 0.97. The draft scale was transformed into a scale with five sub-dimensions and 31 items as a result of exploratory factor analysis. Cronbach’s Alpha value of the total scale is 0.896, and its sub-dimensions Cronbach’s Alpha values are; knowledge and understanding was found to be 0.731, access to health services was 0.816, self-efficacy was 0.719, symptom management was 0.842, and psycho-social coping was 0.728. Factor loadings of all items were 0.40 and above. As a result of confirmatory factor analysis, χ2 /df (2.59), RMSEA (0.076), NFI (0.92), NNFI (0.95), SRMR (0.03) and CFI (0.95) measurements are within the desired fit values. In the test-retest reliability study of the scale, the Pearson moment correlation coefficient was found to be rᵪᵪ=.996 (p&amp;lt;.01). Conclusions The COPD empowerment scale was found to be psychometrically valid and reliable. Key messages • The developed scale is a valid and reliable tool to determine the reinforcement needs of COPD patients. • The scale can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of empowerment initiatives.