Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess the Attitudes of Mastectomy Patients about Breast Reconstruction

Breast cancer is the most common cancers in women all around the world. Mastectomy is one of the initial treatments in breast cancer that causes physical defect. Breast reconstruction has increased significantly to reduce psychological effects of mastectomy. The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess attitudes of mastectomy patients about breast reconstruction. This cross sectional study was conducted on 110 mastectomy patients referred to public and private health centers in Mashhad، Iran in 2013 for follow-up. Questionnaire was developed according to patients'' opinion in three stages: item generation، item reduction، validity and reliability. Superficial، content and construct validity were evaluated. Construct validity was examined by exploratory factor analysis. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated by Cronbach''s alpha and the Split-Half method. SPSS software version 11. 5 was used for data analysis. Superficial validity was confirmed. The amount of content validity using Lawshe method was more than 0. 99. Four hidden factors were found through exploratory factor analysis. Cronbach''s alpha and Split-Half coefficient of the questionnaire were 0. 80 and 0. 79 respectively. This questionnaire is a valid and reliable one. It can be used to determine associated factors with reconstruction and lack of it in mastectomy patients، in order to provide appropriate solutions and enabling patient to do the reconstruction.