THE RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF A BRIEF DIABETES KNOWLEDGE TEST

OBJECTIVE - To examine the reliability and validity of a brief diabete s knowledge test. The diabetes knowledge test has two components: a 14 -item general test and a 9-item insulin-use subscale. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - To populations completed the test. In one population, pa tients received diabetes care in their community from a variety of pro viders, while the other population received care from local health dep artments. Cronbach's coefficient cc was used to calculate scale reliab ility for each sample. To determine validity, patient group difference s were examined. It was hypothesized that test scores would be higher for patients with type 1 diabetes, for patients with more education, a nd for patients who had received diabetes education. RESULTS - The coe fficient alpha s for the general test and the insulin-use subscale ind icate that both are reliable, alpha greater than or equal to 0.70. In the community sample, patients 1 vith type 1 diabetes scored higher th an patients with type 2 diabetes on the general test and the insulin-u se subscale. In the health department sample, patients with type 1 sco red higher than patients with type 2 on the insulin-use subscale. For both samples, scores increased as the years of formal education comple ted increased, and patients who received diabetes education scored hig her than patients who did not. CONCLUSIONS - Although the samples diff ered demographically, the reliability and validity of the test were su pported in both the community and the health department samples. This suggests that the test is appropriate for a variety of settings and pa tient populations.