Validation of the short assessment of health literacy (SAHL-D) and short-form development: Rasch analysis.
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ABSTRACT: Background
Accurate measurement of health literacy is essential to improve accessibility and effectiveness of health care and prevention. One measure frequently applied in international research is the Short Assessment of Health Literacy (SAHL). While the Dutch SAHL (SAHL-D) has proven to be valid and reliable, its administration is time consuming and burdensome for participants. Our aim was to further validate, strengthen and shorten the SAHL-D using Rasch analysis.Methods
Available cross-sectional SAHL-D data was used from adult samples (N = 1231) to assess unidimensionality, local independence, item fit, person fit, item hierarchy, scale targeting, precision (person reliability and person separation), and presence of differential item functioning (DIF) depending on age, gender, education and study sample.Results
Thirteen items for a short form were selected based on item fit and DIF, and scale properties were compared between the two forms. The long form had several items with DIF for age, gender, educational level and study sample. Both forms showed lower measurement precision at higher health literacy levels.Conclusions
The findings support the validity and reliability of the SAHL-D for the long form and the short form, which can be used for a rapid assessment of health literacy in research and clinical practice.
SUBMITTER: Woudstra AJ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6567391 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Validation of the short assessment of health literacy (SAHL-D) and short-form development: Rasch analysis.
Woudstra A J AJ Meppelink C S CS Pander Maat H H Oosterhaven J J Fransen M P MP Dima A L AL
BMC medical research methodology 20190614 1
<h4>Background</h4>Accurate measurement of health literacy is essential to improve accessibility and effectiveness of health care and prevention. One measure frequently applied in international research is the Short Assessment of Health Literacy (SAHL). While the Dutch SAHL (SAHL-D) has proven to be valid and reliable, its administration is time consuming and burdensome for participants. Our aim was to further validate, strengthen and shorten the SAHL-D using Rasch analysis.<h4>Methods</h4>Avail ...[more]
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