Development of a menopause-specific questionnaire: Content and face validation using a modified Delphi technique

Area of Science:

• Women's Health
• Reproductive Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Menopause is a universal life stage with significant knowledge gaps and unequal access to care.
• Existing tools do not fully assess conditions for informed health choices during menopause.
• There is a need for a comprehensive instrument to evaluate women's access to informed decision-making resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a menopause-specific questionnaire assessing preconditions for informed health choices.
• To establish content and face validity using a modified Delphi technique.
• To create a tool for identifying barriers and facilitators in menopause care.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi study involving experts, a Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) group, and pilot testing.
• Five Delphi rounds refined a 39-item draft to a 29-item final instrument.
• Content and face validity were established through expert review, PPI feedback, and pilot usability testing.

Main Results:

• The final 29-item questionnaire achieved content and face validity.
• Revisions improved terminology, neutrality of hormone therapy items, and language accessibility.
• Pilot testing confirmed acceptable usability and respondent burden, with 87.5% expert consensus.

Conclusions:

• A consensus-based, user-informed questionnaire was developed to assess access to informed choice during menopause.
• The instrument can identify barriers and facilitators impacting menopause-related decision-making.
• This tool supports improved menopause care and research by evaluating access to information and resources.