Development of Pregnancy Risk Symptom Perception Scale

To develop Pregnancy Risk symptom Perception Scale (PRPS) and evaluate its validity and reliability.

A preliminary 30-item version of PRPS was developed through literature review, in-depth interview, and Content Validity. Each item was scored on a four-point Likert scale. The preliminary scale was developed based on 301 pregnant women who visited a hospital. Date were analyzed using item analysis, factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and Cronbach's α (0.90 for total item, 0.80 to 0.88 for factors).

The PRPS consisted of 27 items. Three factors (physical, environmental, and emotional factors) explained 55% of the total variance. Cronbach's Criterion validity was supported by comparison with the Perception of Pregnancy Risk Questionnaire (r=0.34). In reliability test, the reliability coefficient of pregnancy risk symptom perception was high at 0.90.

These results suggest that the pregnancy risk symptom perception scale developed in this study comprises items that can assess the level of pregnant women's pregnancy risk symptom perception in Korea. Its validity and reliability were proven. PRPS can be utilized to measure pregnant women's risk symptom perception during pregnancy. PRPS will contribute to the development of systematic prenatal care and effective risk management.