Development and Psychometric Validation of the Pregnancy-related Weight Stigma Scale among Pregnant Women in Nigeria
Chidinma E. Israel, Victoria C. Otti, Chikaodili N. Ihudiebube-Splendor, Peace N. Iheanacho, Joyce C. Arinze, Ifeyinwa S. Agu, Ngozi J. Omotola, Oluwadamilare Akingbade, Pleasure N. Ogbonna
Abstract
Background:
Exposure to weight stigma during pregnancy has been linked to numerous adverse outcomes. However, efforts to accurately assess and address pregnancy-related weight stigma are complicated by the lack of a validated, pregnancy-specific measurement tool.
Objectives:
This study aimed to develop and evaluate the factor structure and internal consistency of the Pregnancy-Related Weight Stigma Scale (PRWSS) for measuring weight stigma among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic at a health facility in Enugu state, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods:
The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design with a sample of 197 pregnant women recruited via simple random sampling at a health facility in Enugu Metropolis, and 194 responses were gotten. The PRWSS was originally developed as a 10-item instrument and subsequently revised to a 9-item scale following two rounds of expert review. The content validity indices for both versions were 0.92 and 1, respectively.
Results:
The PRWSS showed good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.794). Tests confirmed the data suited factor analysis (Bartlett’s test: χ
2
= 632, df = 36,
Conclusion:
The PRWSS demonstrates reliability and validity as a tool for measuring pregnancy-specific weight stigma. Data derived from the PRWSS can facilitate efforts to address weight-related stigma, including the psychological and social burdens, which remain underexplored within maternal health care in resource-constrained settings like Nigeria.