Development and reliability and validity test of the demand assessment scale for women with breast cancer

Objective To develop the female breast cancer patients' needs assessment scale and test its reliability and validity. Methods Based on extensive literature and Maslow model, the initial assessment scale of female breast cancer patients' needs was established by literature analysis, qualitative interviews and experts consultation. The method of convenience sampling was used to conduct the pilot survey, and evaluate its reliability and validity. Results The initial needs assessment scale of breast cancer patients consists of 37 items. Through item discrimination, correlation analysis, Cronbach's α, factor analysis, 7 items were deleted, and the 30 items scale was eventually formed and consists of 5 dimensions, including physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs and self-actualization needs. The overall Cronbach's α and split half reliability were 0.952 and 0.856 respectively. The content validity ratio (CVI) was 0.99. Construct validity was analyzed by the method of factor analysis. The 5 common factors extracted by orthogonal rotation with principal component method showed consistency with the theoretical conception. The results showed good reliability and validity of the scale. Conclusions Based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory, the female breast cancer patients' needs assessment scale has good reliability and validity, and can be used to evaluate the needs of breast cancer patients. Key words: Needs assessment; Breast neoplasms; Scale