Validation of Gender Friendly Breastfeeding Knowledge scale among young adults

Breastfeeding is the most effective intervention to improve child health. Young adults, both genders play an important role in society supporting breastfeeding as they will be stepping towards parenthood in the near future. Bringing awareness and busting the myths among them is essential. This study aimed to develop a Gender Friendly Breastfeeding Knowledge scale based on a conceptual framework that reflected the knowledge of young adults and evaluates its validity and reliability.

Development of the questionnaire for Conceptual framework and item generation was done using PubMed, Google Scholar, other sources and expert opinion. The type of measurement was structured as a 5-point Likert scale. The Lawshe technique to assess the content validity ratio. A cross-sectional survey in graduation colleges situated in Mangalagiri or within the radius of 30 km of Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, India was conducted in 2020. 1400 Adult males and females aged 20-25 years and perusing full-time graduation course were recruited. For each item in the Gender Friendly Breastfeeding Awareness scale, we assessed individual item characteristics and item-test correlation. To check to construct validity, we performed exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

Expert panel retained 23 items from initially 30 items. The content validity index score for the each of 23-items in the scale was more than 0.80. A four-factor structure perfectly fitted the data and illustrated 54% of the variation in knowledge of breastfeeding. 4 stages of CFA were completed. The chi-square = 860.534 was significantly above the 0.01 level. Cronbach's alpha = 0.787 based on standardized items reflected the overall internal consistency of the Gender Friendly Breastfeeding Awareness scale.

Gender Friendly Breastfeeding Knowledge scale is a valid and reliable tool, it is recommended that this scale be used in communities, educational institutions, and in relevant research to assess Breastfeeding knowledge among young adults of both genders, thereby promoting breastfeeding practices in the future.