Validity and reliability of male andropause symptoms self-assessment questionnaire among elderly males in Khuzestan province of Iran

Abstract

Background:Andropause is a condition of decreasing testosterone in men that usually begins to occur at about 40 years of age. Many men find it difficult to acknowledge there may be a problem by refusing to even talk about the symptoms.Aims:The study was conducted to the standards of MASSQ (2012) within male older adults to introduce a relevant criterion.Materials and Methods:About 382 men with age range of 50-80 and with the mean age of 65.3 ± 2.32 were sampled with the cluster-ratio sampling method from the eight cities of Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. The aged samples replied to the 25 items of MASSQ.Results:Coefficients of Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.89), split-half (0.91), convergent validity (0.72), divergent validity (−0.32), and criterion validity (0.67) were estimated, which were significant at P < 0.01. The exploratory factor analysis demonstrated that the 25-items of MASSQ for aged samples are organized into four factors (sexual, somatic, psychic, and behavioral) which clarify 79% of the scale's variance. Second-order confirmatory factor analysis pointed out that the factors are well-matched up onto a principal factor. Consequently, the four-factor model was well appropriate for the data by the fit index techniques for adjusting the scale [adjusted goodness of fit index = 0.92, goodness-of-fit statistic = 0.91, root mean square error of approximation = 0.006, incremental fit index = 0.94, normed fit index = 0.91, comparative fit index = 0.97].Conclusions:The results pointed to the well-adjusted reliability and validity of MASSQ and its usefulness for the relevant studies as well.

Prevalence of andropause among Iranian men and its relationship with quality of life

“…Data were such as age, job, income, education level, wife menopause, weight and height, smoking and alcohol, and a history of diabetes, depression, incontinence, and heart disease. The second part was male andropause symptoms selfassessment questionnaire (MASSQ) which consist of 25 item regarding the disability and symptoms of andropause [41]. Each item was given a score from (none) to 5 (severe).…”

“…The overall scores of this scale ranged from 25 to 125 which indicate no symptom to most severe symptom, respectively. The validity and reliability of this questionnaire among Iranian population was assessed by Asadollahi et al [41]. Coefficients of Cronbach's alpha (0.89) showed a good internal consistency.…”

Psychometric properties of SDHQ-53, the Persian version of social development and health questionnaire within Iranian samples

“…The samples whose ethnicity was classified as Azeri at society received both an Azeri and a Persian version of the SDHQ-53 in their mailing. It may help them to simply recognise and understand the scientific words, as a research has acclaimed it is necessity while research in minority groups with bilingual language (Asadollahi et al, 2013). The respondents were paid $10 for completing the assessment packet.…”

The Prevalence of Andropause and Its Relationship With Sexual Quality of Life Among Older Iranian Men

“…This might cause an elderly tsunami in Iran (Ghanbari et al, 2015). Unfortunately, despite the increasing demand for health programs to improve the sexual quality of life among older people, there is only limited epidemiological information (Abootalebi et al, 2020; Haren et al, 2006; Asadollahi et al, 2013; Samipoor et al, 2017). Hence, appropriate strategies should be considered as soon as possible to maintain or improve male adults’ sexual life.…”