The Turkish validity and reliability of the health literacy scale for workers

AIM: This study aims to analyze validity and reliability of Health Literacy Scale for Workers in Turkish, by applying it to employees of two different industries. It is also aimed to determine the occupational health literacy levels of the workers and to identify elements related to it. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was carried out using interview technique with 400 people working in the bakery and textile sectors. Turkish Health Literacy Scale for Workers Questionnaire and Personal Information Questionnaire were used to collect data. "translation- back translation method" was used for the translation of the scale. Content Validity Ratio and Content Validity Index was calculated according to Lawshe technique after consulting with 15 different experts. Explanatory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis was applied after the total point-item correlation of the scale was analyzed. Cronbach's alpha, Guttman Split Half coefficients and correlation coefficient after test-retest measurements were calculated. Mann Whitney U, Kruskall Wallis tests and Spearman correlation analyses were used. Logistic regression analyses were used for the multivariant analysis of the data. RESULTS: After completion of the translations, Content Validity Index was calculated to be 0,6704. Kaiser Meyer Olkin value was found to be 0,947; Barlett Test value was found to be statistically significant (p<0,001). No item with a factor load below 0,4 was detected in Explanatory Factor Analysis but 5 items (item number 9, 12, 21, 22 and 34) which had cross loading and which's loading between two factors were below 0,10 were excluded from the scale. 5 factored structure which was constructed with the remaining 29 items explained 64,35% of the variance. After confirmatory factor analysis, three covariances were constructed which provided significant rise in fit index, it was seen that the model had acceptable levels in fit index. Correlation coefficient in test-retest between two measurements was calculated to be 0,864 in the scale's reliability analysis. Cronbach's alpha value was 0,949 and Guttman Split coefficient was 0,841 for the scale's final 29 itemed version. It was seen that being male, married, satisfied with the occupation, having a high school or university education, a perception of good health, occupational health and safety training, not having a known illness and using protective equipment has positive effects on workers' total points. In multivariate analysis, having a high school or university education, being satisfied with the occupation and having occupational health and safety training were found to be correlated with scale total point. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of Health Literacy Scale for Workers which is made up off 29 items and 5 factors was applied and found to be valid and reliable for the population it was applied in. Key words: Health Literacy, Health Literacy for Workers, Validity, Reliability, Scale, Textile, Bakery