Preparation of a questionnaire for disease knowledge-attitude-practice awareness of patients with remitted schizophrenia based on a structural equation model

Abstract

Background: A relevant questionnaire that evaluates disease awareness of patients with remitted schizophrenia is lacking in China.

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to develop a questionnaire suitable for evaluating the disease knowledge-attitude-practice awareness on the part of patients with remitted schizophrenia, thus providing a reliable tool for evaluating patient knowledge of the disease and self-management ability.

Methods: To establish a theoretical framework, the literature was reviewed, experts were consulted, a semi-structured interview was conducted, and a questionnaire survey was administered to prepare a questionnaire for disease knowledge-attitude-practice awareness on the part of patients with remitted schizophrenia.

Results: Exploratory factor analysis showed that the questionnaire consists of four dimensions: etiology awareness; risk factor awareness; treatment awareness; and rehabilitation awareness. The four dimensions account for 56.6% of the total variability. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the fitting indices for the structural equation model are as follows: df=1.187; GFI=0.877; AGFI=0.856; and RMSEA=0.030. The total Cronbach α factor for the questionnaire was 0.878. The Cronbach α for each dimension was 0.59–0.81.

Conclusion: The questionnaire for disease knowledge-attitude-practice awareness on the part of patients with remitted schizophrenia has better reliability and validity.