Development and psychometric evaluation of a sexual health care knowledge scale for oncology nurses

•As a modern psychometric approach, Rasch modeling has many advantages compared with the classic test theory approach. Rasch analysis is more useful because it can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying latent structure of a scale and is less sample dependent.•The psychometric evaluation indicated that oncology nurses' knowledge contributed to their SHC practice among cancer patients and survivors. This suggests that the SHCS-K was a useful instrument in preparing nurses to practically deal with patients' sexual problems.•The SHCS-K was found to have validity and reliability as a measure for evaluating the level of sexual health care knowledge among this sample of oncology nurses.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to develop a sexual health care knowledge scale for oncology nurses and to evaluate its psychometric properties using Rasch analysis and the known-groups technique.BackgroundAlthough sexual oncology has become a popular topic and sexual health care is now promoted, there has been a lack of instruments supported by psychometric evaluations to measure nurses' knowledge of sexual health issues.MethodsThe initial 72 items were compiled to form the Sexual Health Care Scale - Knowledge (SHCS-K) for oncology nurses using a literature review and analysis of existing research tools. After a specialist panel verified content validity, the questionnaire was shortened to 58 items. The data were analyzed using a Rasch model to investigate the items with respect to unidimensionality of fit and difficulty and reliability distribution. Discriminant validity was examined using the known-groups technique.ResultsTwo items did not fit with the Rasch model. Person and item separation-index ratios were 3.33 and 9.45, respectively, which confirmed that the SHCS-K functioned well. The reliability was good, at 0.99. Significant differences in marital status, levels of education, and participation in SHC training were observed between groups. The final version of the questionnaire consisted of 55 items, with a total score range of 0-55.ConclusionsThe SHCS-K was found to be a valid and reliable measure for evaluating levels of sexual health care knowledge among this sample of oncology nurses.