Validation and evaluation of the Mandarin version of the oral health literacy adult questionnaire in Taiwan

Objectives: This study aimed to translate the Oral Health Literacy Adult Questionnaire into a Mandarin version (MOHL-AQ) and to examine its psychometric properties. Methods: A methodological research using psychometric testing and evaluation of a translated instrument. A convenience sample of 402 participants from northern Taiwan were recruited for the validation of the MOHL-AQ. Internal consistency reliability, split-half reliability, inter-rater reliability, face validity, content validity, and construct validity were evaluated. Results: The value of internal consistency and split-half reliability of the MOHL-AQ were 0.77 and 0.78, respectively. Content validity reported a high content validity index (CVI = 95%). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and parallel analysis (PA) were used to determine a unidimensional model and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to confirm the model. The indices of good fit model were achieved at GFI = 0.93, AGFI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.04, CFI = 0.90, PGFI = 0.73, χ²/df = 1.86 (p <.001). Most of the item-total correlations indicated adequate and acceptable convergent validity (r >.30). Conclusion: MOHL-AQ demonstrates adequate psychometric properties for measuring the oral health literacy in Mandarin-speaking population. Public health nurses can use MOHL-AQ to assess oral health literacy in the community settings and further screen potential population with inadequate oral health literacy.