Psychometric testing of the Chinese version of the Contraceptive Behavior Scale: a preliminary study

Aims and objectives. To test the psychometric characteristics of a five-item Chinese Contraceptive Behavior Scale (CBS) among female adolescents in Taiwan. Background. Improving contraceptive practice is important for reducing adolescent pregnancy. A scale for measuring contraceptive behaviour of sexually active female adolescents will help nurses promote contraceptive practices to sexually active female adolescents. Design. A cross-sectional design. Methods. Based on literature review and interview with female adolescents, a five-item CBS was developed. Using convenience sampling, 525 sexually active female adolescents were invited to complete the (anonymous) CBS. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), contrasting group validity and concurrent validity were tested to examine the validity of CBS. A multiple-group analysis was used to test the cross-validation of the structure of CBS in two groups. Cronbach's and testretest reliability were used to examine the reliability of CBS. Results. One factor was produced by exploratory factor analysis. Each item significantly loaded on the CBS by CFA. A multiple-group analysis indicated that the structure of CBS was reliable across two different samples. The overall chi-square and model fit indices were 2=13 center dot 554, df=8, p=0 center dot 094, normed fit index=0 center dot 992, comparative fit index=0 center dot 994 and root mean square error of approximation=0 center dot 036 (90% CI=0 center dot 001, 0 center dot 069). The scores of CBS significantly correlated with subscales of perceptions of benefits to contraception (r=0 center dot 47, p<0 center dot 001) and subscales of perceptions of barriers to contraception (r=0 center dot 29, p<0 center dot 001). CBS mean scores significantly differed between the participants who used and did not use contraceptives at first sexual intercourse (t=10 center dot 00, p<0 center dot 001). Cronbach's for the CBS was 0 center dot 81. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0 center dot 94. Conclusions. The CBS had satisfactory validity and reliability. Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses can use CBS to initiate discussions with sexually active female adolescents about their contraceptive practices and provide them with useful strategies to improve their contraceptive practices.