Turkish adaptation of the reproductive autonomy scale: Validity and reliability study

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Reproductive autonomy is crucial for women's well-being and gender equality.
• Existing measures may not be culturally relevant for diverse populations.
• Adapting measurement tools ensures accurate assessment in specific societal contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To culturally adapt and validate the Reproductive Autonomy Scale (RAS) for use in Turkish society.
• To assess the reliability and validity of the adapted RAS among married women of reproductive age in Turkey.

Main Methods:

• Methodological study design involving cultural adaptation.
• Online survey administered via Google Forms to 308 married women (ages 15-49).
• Statistical analyses included exploratory/confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and test-retest reliability.

Main Results:

• The adapted RAS comprises 14 items across 3 subscales, demonstrating good fit in factor analyses.
• Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.64 to 0.92, indicating strong internal consistency.
• High correlation in test-retest analysis confirmed the scale's reliability.

Conclusions:

• The culturally adapted Reproductive Autonomy Scale is a valid and reliable instrument.
• This validated scale can be effectively used to measure reproductive autonomy in Turkish women.
• The findings support the use of the RAS for research and clinical practice in Turkey.