Development, validation, and application of a Brazilian sleep myths and truths assessment scale (SLEEP-MTAS)

This study aimed to develop, validate, and apply a scale assessing knowledge of sleep-related myths and truths and associate it with sociodemographic factors.

A scale with 15 questions was created, containing statements about the characteristics of sleep and related to sleep and dentistry. Each answer ranged from 0 to 4 points, generating a total score from 0 to 60, where higher scores represented greater knowledge. A preliminary study with 200 people assessed its convergent and discriminant construct validity, internal consistency, and temporal stability. The main study included 1965 respondents over 18 years. Additionally, sociodemographic data were collected and a classification of the level of knowledge was performed. Data were analyzed with Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05).

The questionnaire showed convergent (p < 0.001) and discriminant (p = 0.024) construct validity, internal consistency (alpha = 0.7), and temporal stability (ICC = 0.87). In the main study, 90.3% of the participants had moderate and high knowledge, with the score ranging from 24 to 58. Adults over 28 years old (p < 0.001), from the southern region of Brazil (p < 0.001), who lived in capital or metropolitan areas (p < 0.001), with higher education (p < 0.001), without religion (p < 0.001), and involved in dentistry (p < 0.001) had greater knowledge than their peers.

The scale presented good psychometric properties. Most participants had moderate and high knowledge on sleep, with a difference in knowledge related to the age, region and area of residence, education, involvement with dentistry, and religion.