The Short Health Anxiety Inventory: Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version in the Perinatal Period during the COVID-۱۹ Pandemic

Background & aim: Health anxiety usually increases during new emerging pandemics. The perinatal period is a high-risk time in pandemics, and anxiety can negatively impact maternal and fetal outcomes. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Short Health Anxiety Questionnaire (SHAI) during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic in the perinatal period.Methods: This validation study was performed in ۲۰۱۹ using a multi-stage sampling method on ۳۳۹ perinatal women from health centers affiliated with universities of medical sciences in southern Iran. Pregnant and postpartum women received a questionnaire, while those in the delivery unit completed it with the help of a researcher.  Variables were evaluated by univariate analysis. Construct validity was assessed via exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Using SPSS-۱۹, Cronbach's alpha reliability and criterion EFA and validity were conducted.Results: The mean and standard deviation of women's age were ۲۸.۳۹ ± ۵.۵۲ years. ۶۳.۵% were <=۳۰ years old. Three factors with the eigenvalues of ۸.۳۴, ۱.۶۲, and ۱.۳۹, labeled "illness likelihood," "negative consequences," and "illness severity factor," respectively, accounted for ۶۳% of the total variance. The total Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was ۰.۹۲, and the three subscales ranged from ۰.۸۱ to ۰.۹۲. The correlation coefficient between subscales ranged from ۰.۵۱ to ۰.۶۷.Conclusion: Although the Persian-SHAI showed promise, given that the study was conducted on a specific group during a particular period, caution is advised when generalizing its use to general populations. Further research with more diverse samples is recommended to confirm its applicability.

کلیدواژه ها:

health ، Anxiety ، Questionnaire ، Women ، Perinatal Period ، Psychometric