Adaptation and Psychometric Assessment of the Turkish Version of the Perceived Access to Health Care Questionnaire: Validity and Reliability Analysis.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Access to health services is a fundamental element of social welfare and individual quality of life. This study aimed to fill gaps in the Turkish literature regarding the assessment and perception of access to health services and to introduce a valid and reliable measurement tool for this purpose. Methods: This methodological cross-sectional study was conducted in Istanbul with 639 adults aged 18-65 years. Linguistic and cultural appropriateness were evaluated, and validation was assessed through known group validity using sociodemographic factors. Convergent and divergent validity analyses were performed. Reliability was examined using alpha coefficients and 27% percentile discrimination. A secondary confirmatory factor analysis provided the overall score for the scale. Results: The scale was validated on four factors, and seven items were removed during refinement, resulting in a final twenty-three-item scale. Internal consistency was robust, with alpha coefficients of 0.899 for acceptability and affordability, 0.825 for availability, 0.773 for accommodation, 0.892 for awareness, and 0.943 for overall access. Perceived access to health services was significantly correlated with age, beliefs in easy access to health, and satisfaction with outpatient care. Conclusions: The validated scale provides a reliable tool for measuring perceptions of access to health services, which is essential for shaping health policies and practices. Comprehensive assessments using such tools can help discern nuanced distinctions between perceived and actual access.