Psychometric properties of the Slovak version of the nine-item European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale

Introduction: The ability to self-care is considered essential in heart failure management. One of the valid and reliable instruments that allow the measurement of heart failure self-care behaviour is the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale (EHFScBS-9). Objective: To adapt and assess psychometric properties of the Slovak version of the EHFScBS-9. Methods: In this descriptive validation study, 122 Slovak heart failure patients completed the EHFScBS-9, the Cardiac Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (CSEQ), and Personal Well-being Index (PWI). Item analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated. Cronbach's alpha was calculated to assess reliability. Results: The results of CFA confirmed a good fit of the two- respectively three-factor structure of the Slovak EHFScBS-9. Convergent validity was confirmed by positive correlation between the Slovak EHFScBS-9 and the CSEQ. Discriminant validity was supported by poor correlation between EHFScBS-9 and PWI. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total EHFScBS-9 instrument of Slovak version was 0.77. Conclusion: The Slovak version of the EHFScBS-9 instrument is valid and reliable to measure self-care behaviour in heart failure patients.