Validation of the Instrument Index of Violence against Women

Abstract

Introduction: Violence against women is a relevant social problem that requires attention and solution, since it is considered a public health concern that affects the majority of the population.

Objective: To validate the instrument index of violence against women in the city of Arequipa.

Methods: An instrumental study was carried out, in which the data collection corresponded to the months of August to October 2021. The data were collected from a sample of 1220 women. They were individually applied the instrument index of violence against women.

Results: It was subjected to a content validity analysis by 5 judges experts in gender violence or violence against women, obtaining valid averages; it presented good writing, content, coherence and relevance. An exploratory factor analysis was applied, which yielded 2 factors explaining 69.51% of the variance. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient was 0.98, showing the adequacy of the data. Confirmatory factor analysis on the 2-factor structure shows evidence of adequate fit: χ²(404) = 2.360, confirmatory fit index (CFI) = 0.946, Tucker Lewis index (TLI) = 0.942, and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.063 [90 % CI 0.061, 0.065]. To assess the internal consistency of the instrument, the test-retest reliability analysis was conducted using Cronbach's alpha of 0.981 for the 30 items.

Conclusions: The instrument shows adequate indicators of reliability and validity, a reason why we believe that it is a useful tool for the measurement of violence against women in Peruvian contexts.