A psychometric examination of an instrument to measure the dimensions of Champion's Health Belief Model Scales for cervical cancer screening in women living with HIV

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this paper was to examine the psychometric properties of Champion's Health Belief Model Scales for cervical cancer and screening among women living with HIV. Methods A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from an exploratory cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 300 women living with HIV receiving care at two HIV ambulatory care clinics in Florida. A 39-item adaptation of the Champion's Health Belief Model Scales was administered via paper and pencil. Results The authors used internal consistency measures, confirmatory factor analysis, and ordinal item response theory (IRT) techniques to examine the psychometric properties of the instrument. The 39-item instrument had adequate internal consistency and factor structure. However, the IRT analyses suggested that the instrument could be reduced to 24-items (61.5%), without loss of relevant information. Conclusion A shortened 24-item instrument demonstrated good internal consistency among women living with HIV. Future work should include validating the properties of the reduced instrument in diverse samples of patients and conditions.