Psychometric properties of Persian version of health literacy for Iranian school-age children scale

Abstract

Health literacy may play an important role in the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of Health Literacy for School-Aged Children (P-HLSAC) employing data that covered the entire school path. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023-24 among 605 school-aged students in Isfahan, Iran. Reliability indices as well as content, predictive and concurrent validity were evaluated. The factor structure of P-HLSAC was assessed and confirmed employing exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, respectively. The scale content validity indices, Cronbach alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient were acceptable. A significant correlation was found between quality of life and health literacy (Pearson's r = 0.28, p < 0.001) demonstrating a good predictive validity. The mean of health literacy in those with daily self-health learning behavior was significantly higher than those without it (33.60 vs. 31.9, p < 0.001) highlighting the concurrent validity of P-HLSAC. Confirmatory factor analysis approved both one- and two-factor structure of P-HLSAC. The model indices verified an adequate model fit for both one- and two-factor structure of P-HLSAC. This study confirmed the reliability and validity of the P-HLSAC for estimating health literacy in an Iranian cultural context among primary to upper secondary school students. Considering its briefness, the psychometric characteristics of P-HLSAC were approved for its utilization in large-scale studies among entire school-path Iranian school-age children.