Development and psychometric validation of the Sexual Health Literacy Measurement Tool for Undergraduate Students (SHL-US) in Thailand
- 1Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- 2Faculty of Public Health, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Abstract
Background: Sexual health literacy refers to an individual’s capacity and proficiency in managing sexual health. Currently, there are limited instruments available to assess sexual health literacy among undergraduate students, particularly in Thailand. Thus, the current study aimed to develop and psychometrically validate the sexual health literacy measurement tool for undergraduate students (SHL-US) in Thailand. Methods: The study involved 1,235 undergraduate students from public and private universities in Thailand. A multi-stage probability sampling design was used, with simple random selection of institutions (one public and one private university per region, across four regions), faculties, and classrooms, followed by complete enumeration of eligible, consenting students within the selected classrooms. A pilot test (n = 50) and exploratory factor analysis (n = 300) preceded the confirmatory sample (n = 1,235). Thirteen experts examined the content validity. The quality of the instrument was tested by examining its psychometric properties using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Results: Forty-nine items entered the EFA; 47 were retained (4 factors, 53.17% variance explained). CFA removed two more low-loading items (<0.50), yielding the final 45-item, four-factor structure: access (12), understanding (12), appraisal (10), application (11). Additional internal consistency analysis yielded satisfactory results, with an overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.976. The item-total correlation (ITC) was 0.284–0.755, and content validity, assessed via the content validity index (CVI), was high (CVI = 0.94). Confirmatory factor analysis, using the item set confirmed against the CFA diagram and retaining only correlated residuals with genuine item-content justification, supported an acceptable four-factor structure. The four domains were strongly inter-correlated, suggesting they are best interpreted and scored as facets of a single overarching SHL construct rather than fully independent subscales. Conclusion: The SHL-US (45 items) showed acceptable four-factor fit and good internal consistency, though the four domains behave as correlated facets of one SHL factor rather than separable competencies. Used as a single overall score, it shows potential for assessing sexual health literacy among Thai undergraduates.
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BibTeX
@article{padchasuwan2026development,
title = {{Development and psychometric validation of the Sexual Health Literacy Measurement Tool for Undergraduate Students (SHL-US) in Thailand}},
author = {Natnapa Heebkaew Padchasuwan and Jintapa Benchamas and Pokkamol Laoraksawong and Nopparat Senahad and Pannee Banchonhattakit and Surachai Phimha},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0359881},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359881},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Development and psychometric validation of the Sexual Health Literacy Measurement Tool for Undergraduate Students (SHL-US) in Thailand
AU - Natnapa Heebkaew Padchasuwan
AU - Jintapa Benchamas
AU - Pokkamol Laoraksawong
AU - Nopparat Senahad
AU - Pannee Banchonhattakit
AU - Surachai Phimha
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/09
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0359881
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359881
AB - Background: Sexual health literacy refers to an individual’s capacity and proficiency in managing sexual health. Currently, there are limited instruments available to assess sexual health literacy among undergraduate students, particularly in Thailand. Thus, the current study aimed to develop and psychometrically validate the sexual health literacy measurement tool for undergraduate students (SHL-US) in Thailand. Methods: The study involved 1,235 undergraduate students from public and private universities in Thailand. A multi-stage probability sampling design was used, with simple random selection of institutions (one public and one private university per region, across four regions), faculties, and classrooms, followed by complete enumeration of eligible, consenting students within the selected classrooms. A pilot test (n = 50) and exploratory factor analysis (n = 300) preceded the confirmatory sample (n = 1,235). Thirteen experts examined the content validity. The quality of the instrument was tested by examining its psychometric properties using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Results: Forty-nine items entered the EFA; 47 were retained (4 factors, 53.17% variance explained). CFA removed two more low-loading items (<0.50), yielding the final 45-item, four-factor structure: access (12), understanding (12), appraisal (10), application (11). Additional internal consistency analysis yielded satisfactory results, with an overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.976. The item-total correlation (ITC) was 0.284–0.755, and content validity, assessed via the content validity index (CVI), was high (CVI = 0.94). Confirmatory factor analysis, using the item set confirmed against the CFA diagram and retaining only correlated residuals with genuine item-content justification, supported an acceptable four-factor structure. The four domains were strongly inter-correlated, suggesting they are best interpreted and scored as facets of a single overarching SHL construct rather than fully independent subscales. Conclusion: The SHL-US (45 items) showed acceptable four-factor fit and good internal consistency, though the four domains behave as correlated facets of one SHL factor rather than separable competencies. Used as a single overall score, it shows potential for assessing sexual health literacy among Thai undergraduates.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -