SEPULVEDA CARRILLO, Gloria Judith; MENESES BAEZ, Alba Lucia    GOLDENBERG, Paulete. Content Validity: the Human Papillomavirus Vulnerability Questionnaire. []. , 13, 35, pp.211-225. ISSN 1695-6141.

Background: Accurate diagnosis about knowledge, behavior and risk perception relative to the HPV virus is a cornerstone to design effective interventions related to the promotion, prevention and reduction of the individual vulnerability to HPV among adolescents and young adults. Objective: Obtain evidence related with content validity of a questionnaire that measures knowledge and willingness to act preventively against HPV in adolescents and young adults. Method: 16 experts evaluated the questionnaire conceptual structure as well as the degree of agreement on items clarity and wording. Additionally, 42 college students underwent a cognitive interview in order to adjust instructions, vocabulary, and wording of items. Results: The experts' agreement index estimated for wording and clarity of the questionnaire items was 0.88 and for the four dimensions was between 0.81 to 0.96. The estimated experts' agreement index for wording and clarity of the questionnaire items was 0.88 and for the four dimensions range from 0.81 to 0.96. The questionnaire conceptual structure was determined by applying the concept mapping methodology, using an alternating least-squares algorithm (ALSCAL) to perform non-metrical multidimensional scaling (MDS) technique with a two-dimension solution (Stress = 12%), and a hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) using Ward's method; also it estimated a bridging statistic for each item in relationship to its cluster. The obtain data suggest that the questionnaire measures four dimensions: socio-demographic profile, sexual behavior, knowledge of transmission and prevention knowledge. Conclusions: The findings for content validity support that the questionnaire measures knowledge and willingness to act preventively against HPV in adolescents and young adults from the vulnerability perspective.

: Human papillomavirus; Vulnerability; Adolescent; Young Adult; Validity of Tests.

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