Development and validation of the MARA scale in Spanish to assess knowledge and perceived risks and barriers relating to breast cancer prevention

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to develop a measurement instrument for assessing knowledge of breast cancer and perceived risk of developing the disease (MARA). Methods 641 women with a mean age of 36.19 years (SD = 7.49) participated in the study. Data collection took place during 2019 and included sociodemographic data, data on history of cancer and breast cancer, perceived risk, and feelings of concern about developing breast cancer. Internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent validity, and structural validity were tested. Results The questionnaire items comprise 4 subscales: risk factors (9 items), signs and symptoms (9 items), perceived risk (6 items), barriers (7 items). A factor analysis revealed that the first two subscales had two dimensions each, whereas the other two subscales had one dimension each. Each subscale was shown to have adequate reliability (α = 0.74–0.92) and temporal stability (r = 0.201–0.906), as well as strong evidence of validity in relation to a questionnaire on breast cancer knowledge (r = 0.131–0.434). In addition, the subscales were shown to have high discriminatory power in terms of the presence or absence of a history of cancer or breast cancer, perceived risk, and feelings of concern. Conclusion The MARA questionnaire represents a valid, reliable tool for assessing Spanish women’s knowledge, risks, perceptions, and barriers regarding breast cancer.

Explaining sexual self-care status and its predictor factors in women referring to healthcare centers of Sari, Iran, 2021

“…The female sexual health self-care (FSHS) questionnaire. This questionnaire was designed using an extensive literature review on the valid references [1,[25][26][27][28][29][30][31] and based on the four steps Waltz for tool development [32]. The items of the FSHS were scored with a 5-point Likert including never (1), rarely (2), sometimes (3), often (4) and always (5) points.…”

Use a web-app to improve breast cancer risk factors and symptoms knowledge and adherence to healthy diet and physical activity in women without breast cancer diagnosis (Precam project)

“…The women who signed the informed consent form were sent the data collection form by email pre-intervention and again 6 months after the intervention (post-intervention). The form included five sociodemographic questions (age, marital status, level of education, weight, and height), the Motiva.Diaf questionnaire [ 19 ], and two dimensions included in the MARA questionnaire [ 20 ] relating to knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and identification of breast cancer symptoms (subscales reliability α = 0.74–0.92).…”

“…We used the two dimensions of the MARA questionnaire [ 20 ]. Nine risk factors and nine symptoms were included with responses coded dichotomously (is a factor/is not a factor – is a symptom/is not a symptom) as well as quantitatively for all risk factors and symptoms individually (correct responses average; range 0–9).…”

“…The sample size was calculated based on the MARA questionnaire scores. A sample size of 76 participants per group was required to detect an average difference between baseline and post-intervention measurements equal to or greater than 0.5 (SD 1.75) points in the total score of each of the two dimensions of the questionnaire with a two-sided significance level of 5%, a power of 80% and a correlation between the two measurements of 0.81 [ 20 ].…”

Explaining Sexual Self-Care Status and its Predictor factors in Women Referring to Healthcare Centers of Sari, Iran, 2021

“…The Female Sexual Health Self-care (FSHS) questionnaire. This questionnaire was designed using an extensive literature review on the valid references (1,(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31) and based on the four steps Waltz for tool development (32). The items of the FSHS were scored with a 5-point Likert including never (1), rarely (2), sometimes (3), often (4) and always (5) points.…”