Document Type : Original Research Article
Authors
1
Assistant Professor, Nursing Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2
Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3
MSc Student, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
4
Assistant Professor, Reproductive and Family Health Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
5
MSc Student, Student Research Committee, Razi Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
6
Professor, Reproductive and Family Health Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
10.22038/jmrh.2024.76213.2253
Abstract
Background and aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have caused psychological distress in the general population and among pregnant women. Health anxiety usually increases during new emerging microbial pandemics. However, the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) questionnaire was not validated for the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the SHAI in the perinatal period during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was performed in 2019 using a multi-stage sampling method on 339 perinatal women from health centers affiliated with medical universities in southern Iran. Pregnant and postpartum women received an online questionnaire link while those in the delivery unit completed it with the help of a researcher.
Clinical and demographic variables were evaluated individually by univariate analysis. Construct validity was assessed via exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Cronbach's alpha and criterion validity were tested.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of women's age was 28.39 ± 5.52 years, and 63.5% of women were less than or equal to 30 years old. Three factors with the eigenvalues of 8.34, 1.62, and 1.39, labeled "illness likelihood," "negative consequences," and "illness severity factor," respectively, accounted for 63% of the total variance. The total Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.92, and the three subscales ranged from 0.81 to 0.92. The correlation coefficient between subscales ranged from 0.51 to 0.67.
Conclusion: The Persian version of the SHAI is recommended for clinical and general population use.
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