Construction and validation of an obstetric violence measurement scale in Colombia

Abstract

Introduction. Obstetric violence is a phenomenon that consists of the over-medicalization of the process of delivery. This is still ongoing but invisible in different countries in Latin America. Hence, this research aimed to develop and validate an instrument capable of measuring obstetric violence contextualized to the Colombian scenario. Methodology. The items were constructed from previous qualitative research. The items were constructed from previous qualitative research. The scale was validated through classical test theory, evaluating internal consistency and appearance and content validity, and through item response theory, using the Rasch model to assess the discrimination capacity of the scale, the adjustment of the items to the measurement process, the information functions and the distribution of people and items throughout the construct with a sample of 250 women with experience of institutionalized childbirth. Results. Factor analysis allowed us to find a three-factor structure. The internal consistency coefficients were between 0.79 and 0.87. All items were adjusted to the measurement process, covering various constructs. Discussion. In the literature, other Latin American scales address the construct with classical test theory; however, HUMANITY has shown favorable coefficients that measure the construct based on previous qualitative research. Conclusions. HUMANITY is a valid and reliable scale to quantitatively measure obstetric violence in the Colombian context.