Design and psychometric evaluation of the maternal perception of postpartum care in comprehensive health centers

Abstract

Background: Mothers’ perceptions of the quality and quantity of care they have received and their relationship with healthcare personnel significantly impact continuity of care and future referrals. This study evaluated the psychometric dimensions of the Iranian version of the Mothers’ Perception of Postpartum Health Care questionnaire in comprehensive health centers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in which the questionnaire was administered to 250 women from different comprehensive health centers. First, the questionnaire was translated verbatim from English to Persian. Then, we evaluated the face, content, structural validity, and reliability of the questionnaire. Results: The results showed that this questionnaire’s face, content, structure validity, and reliability were adequate. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the entire questionnaire was 0.668. The interclass correlation coefficient was 0.688, which confirmed divergent validity. Conclusions: Mothers’ Perception of Postpartum Health Care questionnaire in comprehensive health centers is valid and reliable for measuring maternal perception of these vital services.

Keywords

• Mothers. Perception. Psychometrics. Community health centers. Validation studies.