Validation of Health Education Quality Scale and a Primary Investigation in general practitioners of Zhejiang, China

Abstract

Background Health education is one of the crucial part of general practitioners’ (GPs’) responsibility. There are few instruments for measurements of health education quality. This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument to measure the health education quality. Methods The questionnaire is a 6-item scale developed in a multi-level process following a literature review and consultations with specialists. The scale was applied in a sample of N = 152 general practitioners (GPs) in Zhejiang, eastern China. Items and properties were analyzed by determining item reliability as well as performing a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the instruments dimensionality. The association of health education quality with respondents’ characteristics and attitudes were analyzed by analogue non-parametric test. Spearman correlation analysis was used to clarify the factors related to the quality of health education. Results The HEQ scale demonstrated good internal consistency(α = 0.945). CFA verified a 5-factor structure of the scale. The mean score of the health education quality of participants is 102.78/150. There were significant differences in health education quality and health education attitude between GPs in different level of public healthcare institutions (P<0.05). The score of GPs in healthcare stations (94.58/150) was lower than others. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a significant association between each items and the final HEQ score, and the HEQ score was also significant associated with self-cognition of health education sufficiency(ρ = 0.556,P<0.05), health education skill༈ρ = 0.551,P<0.05). Conclusion The HEQ is a valid scale to assess the extent of the health education quality of GPs, and the health education quality of GPs in Zhejiang province is relatively good. GPs’ health education quality is related to their attitudes toward patient health education. Specific measures should be taken to further improve the health education quality of GPs.