Psychometric properties of the HLS-EU-Q16 questionnaire: application and validation in Angola
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0223e.45081Keywords:
health literacy; psychometric validation; HLS-EU-Q16; AngolaAbstract
Introduction: Health literacy is defined as the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply health-related information to make informed decisions. In Angola, a country marked by socioeconomic challenges and inequalities in access to health services, the development of health literacy is essential for public health and the empowerment of citizens.
Objective: To validate the HLS-EU-Q16 Questionnaire for the Angolan population.
Methods: This is a psychometric, descriptive, and correlational study based on the collection of transversal data according to the guidelines of the statement STrengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE). The investigation was carried out in the commune of Gungo, located in the city of Sumbe, province of Kwanza Sul, Angola, using the HLS-EU-PT-Q16 questionnaire. Descriptive analyses and reliability assessment were performed using Cronbach's alpha (α) and McDonald's omega (ω). An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was followed by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
Results: The sample included 89 participants who classified their health literacy level as “inadequate” (75.3%), followed by “problematic” (18%) and “adequate” (6.7%). Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega values vary between 0.88 and 0.89, with an overall value of 0.89. EFA showed measuring sampling adequacy and proposed a three-dimensional solution with adequate factorial structure’s factor loadings (all items > 0.50). CFA revealed an overall adequate fit based on tested fit indices.
Conclusion: Although this study, being the first of its kind in this population, does not constitute a definitive validation of this instrument, we can accept that the psychometric results obtained represent its initial validation. Nevertheless, the overall data suggest that the HLS-EU-Q16 is a viable measure for assessing health literacy in the Angolan population. Thus, the instrument is concise, exhibits adequate psychometric properties, and can be used to assess the needs of the population, as well as to monitor and evaluate initiatives and policies aimed at promoting health literacy.
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