SCALE DEVELOPMENT: DIETARY KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIORS ASSESSMENT IN HEMODIALY- SIS PATIENTS

OZLEM BULANTEKIN DUZALAN¹, SEZGI CINAR PAKYUZ²

¹Cankiri Karatekin University School of Health, Department of Nursing - ²Celal Bayar University, Manisa School of Health, Department of Nursing

Aim: The aim of the study was to develop a valid and reliable instrument for dietary knowledge and behaviors assessment in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: This study follows a psychometric methodological design. The content validity was evaluated using a Lawshe’s tech- nique with ten experts in the field of hemodialysis. The confirmatory factor analysis, and explanatory factor analysis were used for scale validity in the study. Internal consistency analysis, item discrimination indices, and the test-retest technique were used for scale reliability. The study sample included 302 chronic hemodialysis patients.

Results: Scale for Dietary Knowledge in Hemodialysis Patients (SDKHP), is a three-point Likert scale and consisting of 18 items. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of the scale was 0.86. The Scale for Dietary Behaviors in Hemodialysis Patients (SDBHP) is a five-point Likert scale and consisting of 13 items . Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of the scale was 0.73.

Conclusions: SDKHP and SDBHP are valid and reliable measurement tools for assessing the level of dietary knowledge and the dietary behaviors in hemodialysis patients, respectively for use by nurses and other health professionals.