Development of a Scale that Impedes the Use of Specific Health Guidance by Specific Health Guidance Relevant Individuals

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to develop a scale for measuring factors that hinder the use of specific health guidance (Scale of factors that hinder the use of specific health guidance) by specific health guidance relevant individuals.

Method: The 50-item factors that hinder the use of specific health guidance Measurement Scale was designed based on previous studies and published data. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 3,738 individuals requiring specific health guidance in two cities, one town, and one village and scale reliability, construct validity, and concurrent validity were investigated.

Results: A total of 1,849 (49.5%) questionnaires were returned, of which 1,459 were valid. Item and exploratory factor analysis identified 18 items within the following 4 factors: feeling of futility regarding altering lifestyle habits; values prioritized above perfect health; negative feelings regarding health guidance; and pride in own judgement regarding personal health. Overall and subscale Cronbach’s α coefficients were 0.904 and 0.737-0.845, respectively. Goodness of model fit values were as follows: goodness of fit index GFI=0.951; adjusted AGFI=0.935; comparative fit index=0.952; and root mean square error of approximation=0.053. A significant association was found using the known-groups method and a significant negative correlation was observed regarding concurrent validity.

Conclusion: The present 4-subscale 18-item scale is useful for measuring the factors that hinder the use of specific health guidance.