Validation of the Newborn Warning Signs Handout

To test the content validity of the Newborn Warning Signs (NBWS) handout.

A mixed-methods approach was used to validate the NBWS handout. Following the methods for patient education validation of Betschart et al. (2019), the research team conducted a phased process to develop and revise the handout.

Validation procedures occurred via online surveys with content experts and in person with people who were expecting to care or were already caring for newborns.

Content validation included 32 content experts and 10 parents. Thirty-seven pregnant people completed the Consumer Information Rating Form (CIRF).

Content experts evaluated the handout items via an online survey. Concurrently, newborn caregivers participated in semistructured interviews and provided their perceptions of handout items. Once revisions were made based on feedback, parents of newborns completed the NBWS CIRF. Based on findings from the previous phases, a validated handout was finalized.

Participants in each phase provided feedback for revision of the NBWS handout to enhance clarity and ease of reading. The CIRF composite scores were 1.15 for comprehensibility, 1.21 for utility, and 1.84 for design quality; a score below 2.0 indicated no need for further revision.

The NBWS caregiver handout is a valid health education tool aimed at reducing newborn morbidity and mortality.