Violence in Pregnancy: Scale Validity and Reliability Study in Turkey

Objective: Women are more vulnerable to violence during pregnancy and the postnatal period and they are more often subject to violence during these periods. The purpose of this study was to adapt the Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS) and the Tool for Intimate Partner Violence Screening (HITS), which are most frequently used in screening for violence in pregnancy, into Turkish and to examine the factor structure. Methods: This methodological and descriptive study included 259 pregnant women in a public hospital in Turkey. Data were collected using a descriptive information form, and Turkish language versions of the AAS and HITS tools. These translations were performed with usual rigor. Data were evaluated using Kendall’s W analysis, Cronbach’s alpha value coefficient and Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results: The reliability coefficient of the AAS scale was KR20=0.801 and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the HITS scale was 0.86, an indication of high reliability. According to the results of the exploratory factor analysis performed to test the validity of the scales, the factor load for the AAS (77.36%) and HITS (75.12%) scales was found to be appropriate. There were found that one factor was sufficient for explaining the case according to criterion. Conclusion: AAS and HITS scales can be used as a safe tool with validity and reliability studies in different cultures to quickly, easily and effectively identify domestic violence events during pregnancy. The Turkish adaptations of the AAS and HITS scales were determined to have a high degree of validity and reliability.