Development and psychometric evaluation of the contraceptive attitude questionnaire

Context: Individual attitudes are a factor that affects the use of contraceptive methods. It is known that positive or negative attitudes affect the use of contraceptives. Aims: This study aimed to develop an intelligible tool which can measure attitudes toward contraceptive methods that the healthcare personnel in Turkey can easily apply. Setting and Design: This study is a methodological research. A simple random sampling method was used. The sampling of the study was made up of 300 women and men aged 15 and over who were referred to the two family healthcare centers. An information form and the final primary version of Contraceptive Attitude Scale consisting of 35 attitude items were used for data collection. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in two phases. Developing the items of the contraceptive attitude questionnaire (CAQ) was conducted in Phase I using the deductive method. In phase 2, the psychometric properties of the questionnaire were evaluated. Statistical Analysis Used: Content validity ratio, content validity index, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient, Bartlett’s test of Sphericity, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient, and Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient were used. Furthermore, fit indices were calculated (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation [RMSEA], normed fit index [NFI], comparative fit index [CFI] non-NFI [NNFI], adjusted goodness of fit index [AGFI], goodness of fit index [GFI]). Results: After the exploratory factor analyses, it was determined that the 25 items in the questionnaire were grouped under three factors. The internal consistency coefficient was found to be 0.90, 0.89, 0.84, and 0.77 for CAQ, Factor 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In the confirmatory factor analyses, it was determined that the Chi-square value of CAQ was significant and that the data were sufficient for the model (χ2 = 1080.90, df = 272, χ2 /df = 3.97, P = 0.000). Of the fit indices in CFA, the following values were found: RMSEA = 0.059, NFI = 0.95, NNFI = 0.97, CFI = 0.98, AGFI = 0.73, and GFI = 0.78. Conclusion: The CAQ was determined to be a valid and reliable measurement tool in Turkey. The questionnaire is suitable for use to protect and improve the reproductive health of women and men as it determines attitudes toward the use of contraceptive methods.