Validation of the Health Protective Sexual Communication Scale Among Young Adults in the United Kingdom and Spain

Laura Alonso-Martínez; Simon Forrest; Davinia Heras-Sevilla; María Consuelo Sáiz-Manzanares; Jesús Puente-Alcaraz; María Fernández-Hawrylak

doi:10.1891/JNM-2022-0113

Validation of the Health Protective Sexual Communication Scale Among Young Adults in the United Kingdom and Spain

J Nurs Meas. 2024 Jan 9:JNM-2022-0113.R1. doi: 10.1891/JNM-2022-0113. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Laura Alonso-Martínez^{1

2}, Simon Forrest³, Davinia Heras-Sevilla², María Consuelo Sáiz-Manzanares⁴, Jesús Puente-Alcaraz⁴, María Fernández-Hawrylak²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Science of Health, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain lamartinez@ubu.es.
² Department of Science of Education, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain.
³ Department of Sociology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom.
⁴ Department of Science of Health, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain.

PMID: 38195160
DOI: 10.1891/JNM-2022-0113

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The transmission of sexual infections is increasing globally. The research aims to validate the Health Protective Sexual Communication Scale (HPSC) in English and Spanish. Methods: The study survey was administered to 1,223 university students from Spain (658) and the United Kingdom (565) during the academic year 2020-2021. Results: Cronbach's alpha values were .80 (Spain) and .86 (United Kingdom). The scale's Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis displays a one-dimensional structure of eight items in both countries. Conclusions: The HPSC has excellent reliability and validity. Psychometric findings support the use of the HPSC as a screening tool to measure sexual risk in youth.

Keywords: assessment tools; community/public health; continuing education; culture/cultural competency; instrument development.