Development and testing of comprehensive noncommunicable disease risk assessment tool with factorial analysis among 18 to 59 years old population of India

The noncommunicable disease (NCD) burden in India is high, resulting in early death and disability. Perceived risk of NCDs can help people identify and reduce the risk factors. Standard questionnaires available for NCD risk estimation lack in considering the emerging risk factors. The study aimed to develop a comprehensive NCD risk assessment tool (CRAT-NCD) for the Indian population. The theoretical framework method of concept analysis was used to identify domains. Based on the prevalence and percentage contribution of risk factors to NCDs, items were derived and scored. Delphi group discussions, Content validation, pretesting were done. Pilot-testing was done among the population (n = 164) of India. Factorial Analysis (FA) and Reliability testing were done. The tool, comprising six domains, 40 items, with a maximum scoring of 100, was developed. Exploratory FA derived two factors that Confirmatory FA further confirmed. I-CVI (Item level Content Validity Index) and S-CVI (Scale level Content Validity Index) were found to be 0.88 and 0.91, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.712 (0.646, 0.768) and Guttman’s lambda of 0.717 (0.651, 0.771) were obtained. About 42% of participants were at moderate risk whereas 5% and 1% of the participants were at high and extremely high risk of NCDs. The Comprehensive Risk-assessment Tool for NCDs was found to be valid and reliable non-invasive tool for risk assessment and risk stratification among Indian population.