| Nutrition 2003; 19:760-766
Abstract
development and validation of a knowledge test for health professionals regarding lifestyle modification
Whadi-ah Talip 1, Nelia P Steyn, 2 Marianne Visser 1, Karen E Charlton, 1 Norman Temple 3
1 Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Department of Medicine, UCT
2 Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle Program, MRC
3 Centre for Science, Athabasca University, Athabasca, Alberta, Canada
Address for correspondence: Dr NP Steyn, Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle Unit, Medical Research Council, P O Box 19070 , Tygerberg, South Africa
Email: nelia.steyn@mrc.ac.za; tel:021-9380242 ; fax: 021-9335519
Objective: To develop and validate a test that assesses the knowledge and practices of health professionals (HPs) regarding the role of nutrition, physical activity and smoking cessation (lifestyle modification) in chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDOL).
Study design: A descriptive cross-sectional validation study was carried out. The validation design consisted of two phases, namely (a) test planning and development and (b) test evaluation.
Subjects: The study sample consisted of 5 groups of HPs, namely dietitians, dietetic interns, general practitioners (GPs), medical students and nurses. The overall response rate was 58%, resulting in a sample size of 186 participants.
Methods: A test was designed to evaluate knowledge and practices of HPs. The test was first evaluated by an expert group in order to ensure content, construct and face validity. Thereafter the questionnaire was tested on 5 groups of HPs in order to test for criterion validity. Internal consistency was evaluated by means of Cronbach’s alpha.
Results : An expert panel ensured content, construct and face validity of the test. Groups known to have the most training and exposure to nutrition (dietitians and dietetic interns) had the highest group mean score, ranging from 61 to 88%, while those with limited nutrition training (GPs, medical students and nurses) had significantly lower scores, ranging from 26 to 80%. This demonstrated criterion validity. Internal consistency of the overall test demonstrated a Cronbach alpha of 0.99. The majority of HPs identified the mass media as their main source of information on lifestyle modification. These HPs also identified lack of time, lack of patient compliance and lack of knowledge as barriers that prevent them from providing counselling on lifestyle modification.
Conclusions : The results of this study showed that this test instrument identifies groups of health professionals with adequate training (knowledge) in lifestyle modification from those who require further training (knowledge).
Questionnaire: Lifestyle modification questionnaire (MSExcel format, 127 kb)
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