Development and Psychometric Evaluation of Students’ Heart Behavior Scale

Introduction: Using the review of texts and guidelines for the prevention and promotion of cardiovascular health of the World Health Organization and the American Heart Association in the construction and development of the tool is one advantage Heart Health Behavior Tool. On the other hand, the content of the tool is in line with the goals of the National Document for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health, Medical Education and Health of Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and psychometrically evaluate a heart health-related behavior tool in students. Methods and Materials: In this study, the mixed method in order to develop tool related to heart health in students in the first stage, and then the psychometrics of the tool was done in the next stage from November ۲۰۲۳ to ۹ July in ۲۰۲۴. The study was approved by the ethics committee of Dezful Medical Sciences (IR.DUMS.REC.۱۴۰۲.۰۵۶). Results: Five factors that explained ۵۴.۶۷% of the variation were identified using the scree plot and the eigenvalue greater than one criterion. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the questionnaire's five-factor structure (Being careful about the amount you consume, understanding the importance of healthy behavior, trying to maintain health through self-management, adhering to adequate nutrient intake, and breaking the habit of consuming unhealthy foods). Correlations between e۷ and e۸ and e۳ and e۲ were taken into consideration in confirmatory factor analysis to enhance model fit. The chi-square statistic was ۱۲۹.۷۰۹ (df = ۷۸, p < ۰.۰۰۱). Based on the fit indices, the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed an acceptable level of model fit. Cronbach's alpha and coefficients for all five factors were above ۰.۸, indicating satisfactory reliability.