Measuring hygiene behavior : reliability and validity of a malay questionnaire (Hygiene-Q)

• Main Authors: Nor Dalila Marican, N. Azmawati, H. Rozita
• Format: Non-Indexed Article
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://discol.umk.edu.my/id/eprint/8360/
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

Hygiene behavior can be measured with an appropriate instrument and interventions can be implemented to improve health outcomes. The main objective of this work is to determine the construct validity and internal consistency of the development of a Malay questionnaire on hygiene behavior (HYGIENE-Q) among women. Items of the HYGIENE-Q were derived from literature review related to the subject and a discussion with experts in the field. It comprised of 35 items with seven hypothetical groups. The content and face validity was established through discussion with experts. It was administered to all participants of women who manage their homes in Kuala Terengganu (n=40). Factor analysis was applied to test construct validity whereas reliability analysis (Cronbach’s alpha) was applied to test internal consistency of the HYGIENE-Q. A total of 40 women participated in this study. Factor analysis constructed 4 domains of hygiene behavior and excluded 15 items, leaving 20 items in the final questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha of the final questionnaire was 0.78 while for each domain of hand washing, food preparation, environmental cleanliness and water usage domains were 0.84, 0.77, 0.74 and 0.62 respectively. The HYGIENE-Q had good psychometric values. It is a promising instrument that can be used in the future to identify the hygiene behavior among women especially who manages their homes.