VACCINE HESITANCY SCALE IN PANDEMICS: TURKISH VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY STUDY

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to make the Turkish validity and reliability of the vaccine hesitation scale to be used in combating experienced or possible pandemics in the future. Methods: It is a methodological study in which the Turkish validity and reliability of the "Vaccine Hesitancy Scale" developed by Larson et al. (2015) was modified for pandemics. Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were conducted with the data collected from 617 volunteers for construct validity. Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient and language and construct validity were performed for reliability and validity. Results: As a result of EFA and CFA, the 10-item "Vaccine Hesitancy Scale in Pandemics" showed a two-factor structure. The two-factor structure explains 68.53% of the total variance. Factor loadings related to the items of the scale vary between 0.638 and 0.887. Confirmation of EFA results with CFA results was found to provide construct validity. It was observed that the reliability criterion was met by determining the Cronbach Alpha Coefficient as 0.901. Conclusion: It is thought that the "Vaccine Hesitancy Scale in Pandemics", which has been conducted with the data obtained from people with different socio-demographic characteristics of the Turkish people, can be a reference that can be used by researchers as a valid and reliable measurement tool.