Validation of an Eastern Armenian breast cancer health belief survey

• Published in: PLOS global public health 2023, Vol.3 (5), p.e0001849-e0001849
• Main Authors: Tupper, Haley, Ghukasyan, Razmik, Bayburtyan, Armine, Balalian, Arin, Kolanjian, Arsine, Hovhanissyan, Marine, Shekherdimian, Shant
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Medicine and Health Sciences; People and Places; Research and Analysis Methods
• ISSN: 2767-3375; 2767-3375
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001849

With the fourth highest breast cancer mortality rate in the world, breast cancer prevention and early detection is a priority for Armenia. The Ministry of Health recently initiated efforts to expand access to breast cancer screening. However, little is known about the population's understanding and perception of breast cancer screening programs. This cross-sectional telephone-based study sought to develop and validate an Eastern Armenian language version of the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) for future use. The English-language CHBMS survey was first rigorously translated by two Armenian nationals and evaluated for face validity. Telephone surveys were then administered to randomly-selected women of approximately screening age (35-65 years) with no prior history of breast cancer living in Armenia's capital between 2019-2020 (n = 103). The translated survey's psychometric properties were evaluated, examining (1) content equivalence, (2) test-retest reliability and (3) internal consistency. Content equivalence and test-retest reliability of the Armenian CHBMS were characterized using correlational analysis with Pearson's coefficient ranging from 0.76-0.97 (p