Development and validation of health beliefs model scale for prostate cancer screenings (HBM-PCS): evidence from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

PURPOSE: Primary diagnostic tools for prostate cancer are prostate examination and detection of prostate specific antigen. It is important to know what factors affect individuals in their use of these tools. The aim of this study was to create a scale that combined the basic components of the health belief model with a focus on prostate cancer screening.

METHOD: A total of 240 healthy men (mean age and standard deviation = 53.8 ± 10.8) was selected by convenient sampling. In this methodological study, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used for psychometric evaluation. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to evaluate the reliability of the scale.

RESULTS

The scale was composed of 41 items and five subscales. The initial analysis extracted five factors. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the data obtained were compatible with Health Beliefs Model (HBM) (χ(2) = 769 (n = 240) = 324.25, p > 0.05, GFI = 0.93, AGFI = 0.93, RMSA = 0.00, CFI = 1.00. Cronbach's α coefficient of the subscales ranged from 0.83 to 0.94.

CONCLUSIONS

The scale was found to be appropriate for the measurement of health beliefs about prostate cancer screening. The scale may be used in prostate cancer screenings for males who are 40 years and older to measure perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, health motivation, perceived barriers and perceived benefits with regard to prostate cancer screenings.