Development and validation of medication literacy scale for adults: MELSA version II

Abstract Background The Medication Literacy Scale for Adults (MELSA) version I was previously developed among adults with high educational levels. However, the validity of the tool for the general populations was not established. Objective The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate the psychom...

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Main Authors: Betul Okuyan, Berkan Atasoy, Ercan Kulak, Goktug Gorpuz, Mesut Sancar, Pınar Ay
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22200-w
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author Betul Okuyan
Berkan Atasoy
Ercan Kulak
Goktug Gorpuz
Mesut Sancar
Pınar Ay
author_facet Betul Okuyan
Berkan Atasoy
Ercan Kulak
Goktug Gorpuz
Mesut Sancar
Pınar Ay
author_sort Betul Okuyan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The Medication Literacy Scale for Adults (MELSA) version I was previously developed among adults with high educational levels. However, the validity of the tool for the general populations was not established. Objective The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the MELSA version II among community-dwelling Turkish adults with both low and high education levels. Methods After the item development and content and face validity testing, test-retest reliability, explanatory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency, item response theory approach (Rasch analysis), and hypothesis testing were carried out. Results The interclass correlation coefficient (agreement) was 0.753 between the test and the two weeks retest. Kuder Richardson-20 was 0.89 with a unidimensional structure, according to EFA, CFA, and Rasch analysis. Rasch analysis indicated the person reliability of the 9-item MELSA version II as 0.74. Participants with a high education level and a high level of self-reported reading ability for health-related information had a higher score on MELSA version II (p < 0.05). Conclusion The 9-item MELSA version II is a web-based scale that is brief, valid, and easy to administer in person using an mobile device. It could be used in different countries and populations after conducting appropriate translation and cultural adaptation.
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spelling doaj-art-adb55328b4db442d89e5806b51fe83992025-08-20T02:56:21ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-03-012511910.1186/s12889-025-22200-wDevelopment and validation of medication literacy scale for adults: MELSA version IIBetul Okuyan0Berkan Atasoy1Ercan Kulak2Goktug Gorpuz3Mesut Sancar4Pınar Ay5Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara UniversityHealth Science Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara UniversityDistrict Health DirectorateClinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara UniversityClinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara UniversityDepartment of Public Health, School of Medicine, Marmara UniversityAbstract Background The Medication Literacy Scale for Adults (MELSA) version I was previously developed among adults with high educational levels. However, the validity of the tool for the general populations was not established. Objective The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the MELSA version II among community-dwelling Turkish adults with both low and high education levels. Methods After the item development and content and face validity testing, test-retest reliability, explanatory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency, item response theory approach (Rasch analysis), and hypothesis testing were carried out. Results The interclass correlation coefficient (agreement) was 0.753 between the test and the two weeks retest. Kuder Richardson-20 was 0.89 with a unidimensional structure, according to EFA, CFA, and Rasch analysis. Rasch analysis indicated the person reliability of the 9-item MELSA version II as 0.74. Participants with a high education level and a high level of self-reported reading ability for health-related information had a higher score on MELSA version II (p < 0.05). Conclusion The 9-item MELSA version II is a web-based scale that is brief, valid, and easy to administer in person using an mobile device. It could be used in different countries and populations after conducting appropriate translation and cultural adaptation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22200-wMedication literacyRaschFactor analysisPsychometricsValidity and reliabilityItem response theory
spellingShingle Betul Okuyan
Berkan Atasoy
Ercan Kulak
Goktug Gorpuz
Mesut Sancar
Pınar Ay
Development and validation of medication literacy scale for adults: MELSA version II
BMC Public Health
Medication literacy
Rasch
Factor analysis
Psychometrics
Validity and reliability
Item response theory
title Development and validation of medication literacy scale for adults: MELSA version II
title_full Development and validation of medication literacy scale for adults: MELSA version II
title_fullStr Development and validation of medication literacy scale for adults: MELSA version II
title_full_unstemmed Development and validation of medication literacy scale for adults: MELSA version II
title_short Development and validation of medication literacy scale for adults: MELSA version II
title_sort development and validation of medication literacy scale for adults melsa version ii
topic Medication literacy
Rasch
Factor analysis
Psychometrics
Validity and reliability
Item response theory
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22200-w
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