Development and validation of gestational diabetes mellitus health literacy scale

Objective: While there are various health literacy scales that exist, none of health literacy scale suitable for pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). To address this gap, this study aimed to develop GDM health literacy scale and evaluate its psychometric properties. Methods: Based on the Delphi expert consultation, we developed the initial GDM health literacy scale. Item analysis was taken using a sample (n = 299) recruited in China to form formal scale. Additional participants (n = 395) completed survey to assess the internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, content validity, construct validity and criterion correlation validity of scale. Results: The scale performed well in terms of internal consistency reliability, content validity, construct validity and criterion correlation validity. Test-retest reliability indicated that the instrument was effective at measuring health literacy of GDM over time. Conclusion: The scale is a reliable and valid measure of six domains of health literacy for GDM. Practice implications: The scale can be used to effectively evaluate the level of health literacy of pregnant women with GDM. The information can provide targeted health support for pregnant women with GDM to improve their health literacy and self-management ability.