Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Standard Precautions Questionnaire for health professionals in Brazil

ABSTRACT Objectives: to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Standard Precautions Questionnaire. Methods: this is a methodological study conducted with physicians and nursing professionals for the evaluation of psychometric properties. A reliability analysis was conducted using Cronbach’s alpha. Exploratory factor analysis was performed and scores were analyzed using the known-groups method. Results: the scale was applied to 300 professionals: 88 nurses, 163 nursing technicians and 49 physicians. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.71. All items presented satisfactory factor loading. Known-group validity showed sensitivity of differences in the scores of socio-cognitive factors, where nurses obtained a significant effect in scores of intention (4.77; p=0.000) and individual constraints (3.52; p=0.041) when compared to other health professionals. Conclusions: satisfactory construct reliability and validity were obtained for the Brazilian version of the questionnaire, allowing a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of socio-cognitive determinants of compliance with standard precautions.