Development and assessment of an instrument measuring environmental health perception and behavior toward reproductive health of female adolescents

Aim This study is aimed to develop and test the measurement of environmental health perceptions and behavior concerning female adolescents' reproductive health. Methods The scales constructed through literature review, in ‐depth interview, and factor analysis based on the protection motivation theory. The sample comprised 384 female adolescents for exploratory factor analysis, aged 18‐22 years, and recruited in September‐November 2019 in South Korea. The construct was validated using factor analysis, convergent validity, and known‐group comparisons. Reliability was examined using Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency and half‐split reliability. Results The environmental health perception for female adolescents (EHP‐FA) comprises “Sensitivity,” “Susceptibility,” “Response efficacy,” and “Self‐efficacy.” The environmental health behavior for female adolescents (EHB‐FA), based on principal component analysis, yielded 19 items with five factors, including “Chemical reduction,” “Electromagnetic reduction,” “Food selection,” “Cosmetic selection,” “Dust & Gas reduction,” and explained 62.6% of the variance (Cronbach's α = .93). Conclusion The utility of EHP‐FA and EHB‐FA recommend assessment of female youth's environmental attention and health behavior in the community. Nursing professionals can use the scales to promote female adolescents' reproductive health.