Human Milk and Breastfeeding Myths Scale: Development, Validity, and Reliability Study

Abstract

Introduction: One of the obstacles to breastfeeding is the false beliefs in society about human milk and breastfeeding.Research Aim: The aim of this study is to develop the Human Milk and Breastfeeding Myths Scale and test its validity and reliability.Methods: This methodological study included 326 participants (individuals in the last trimester of pregnancy and breastfeeding individuals with infants aged 0-2 years) recruited from two public hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey. Data were collected using the Descriptive Participant Data Form and the Human Milk and Breastfeeding Myths Scale. Reliability analyses included internal consistency and a test-retest assessment conducted at a 2-week interval (n = 34). The study was reported in accordance with the STROBE guidelines, and a pilot test was conducted with 10 participants.Results: The draft scale initially consisted of 32 items and was evaluated by experts. Following exploratory factor analysis, eight items with low factor loadings were removed, and content validity was supported using the Lawshe technique. The final 24-item scale demonstrated a structure with two factors with eigenvalues greater than 1 and a dominant first factor, with good internal consistency (alpha = .86).Conclusion: The Human Milk and Breastfeeding Myths Scale demonstrated acceptable validity evidence and good reliability, and may be used to assess beliefs related to breastfeeding myths.