Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the Swedish version of the female genital self-image scale.

OBJECTIVE:The objective of the study was to translate and culturally adapt the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS-7) into a valid and reliable Swedish version, and to test the instrument. METHODS:The instrument was translated into Swedish in a three-stage process of translation, back-translation and synthesis. The face validity of the pre-final translation was tested in a cognitive debriefing with a test group of eight women, while construct validity was tested in a group of six subject matter experts. Internal consistency, data completeness, score distributions, and floor and ceiling effects were measured using an online survey with a cross-sectional design. RESULTS:The Swedish version of the instrument (SWE-FGSIS-7) was perceived as a comprehensible, understandable and user-friendly instrument by the test group and the experts. The online survey included 147 responders with 100 % data completeness and no floor or ceiling effects. The internal consistency was good (Cronbach's Alpha coefficient 0.82). The total mean score was 22.44 (SD = 3.98). CONCLUSION:SWE-FGSIS-7 is a user-friendly, understandable, valid and reliable instrument for estimating genital self-image, which can be used to initiate a dialogue that may contribute to increased knowledge about women's own bodies and strengthen their reproductive and sexual health.