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Sexually Transmitted Infection Knowledge among Older Adults: Psychometrics and Test–Retest Reliability

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  • Matthew Lee Smith

    (Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
    School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
    College of Public Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

  • Caroline D. Bergeron

    (Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Quebec, QC G1V 5B3, Canada)

  • Heather H. Goltz

    (Baylor College of Medicine, University of Houston—Downtown, Houston, TX 77030, USA)

  • Tammy Coffey

    (Alice Hyde Medical Center, Malone, NY 12953, USA)

  • Ali Boolani

    (Department of Physical Therapy and Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA)

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) among older adults have dramatically increased in recent years, especially among those who are widowed and divorced. The purposes of this study were to: (1) identify STI-related knowledge among older adults; (2) report the psychometric properties of a tool commonly used to assess STI-related knowledge among younger populations using data from adults 65 years and older; and (3) determine test-retest reliability of the tool. Data were analyzed from 43 adults, aged 65–94 years, using the 27-item Sexually Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (STD-KQ). Participants completed identical instruments on two separate days with approximately two weeks between. After responses were coded for correctness, composite scores were created. Cronbach’s reliability coefficients were calculated to determine response consistency, and Pearson’s r coefficients were used to assess test–retest reliability. Of 27 possible correct answers, participants reported an average of 11.47 (±6.88) correct responses on Day 1 and 11.67 (±7.33) correct responses on Day 2. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the 27-item composite scale were high for both days (0.905 and 0.917, respectively), which indicates strong response consistency. Pearson’s r coefficients were high between responses for the 27-item composite scale on Days 1 and 2 ( r = 0.882, P < 0.01), which indicates strong test–retest reliability. Pearson’s r coefficients were high between responses for all but three of the 27 items when assessed separately. Findings suggest the utility of the STD-KQ to assess STI knowledge among older adults. However, the consistently low knowledge scores highlight the need for educational interventions among this population.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Lee Smith & Caroline D. Bergeron & Heather H. Goltz & Tammy Coffey & Ali Boolani, 2020. "Sexually Transmitted Infection Knowledge among Older Adults: Psychometrics and Test–Retest Reliability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:7:p:2462-:d:341290
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Smith, K.P. & Christakis, N.A., 2009. "Association between widowhood and risk of diagnosis with a sexually transmitted infection in older adults," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(11), pages 2055-2062.
    2. Gott, Merryn & Hinchliff, Sharron, 2003. "How important is sex in later life? The views of older people," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 56(8), pages 1617-1628, April.
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