Measurement properties of the Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale (SRBS) in university students in Brazil

■ The Brazilian Portuguese version of the Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale has strong measurement properties, including content validity, structural validity, and internal consistency.
■ The Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale showed measurement invariance between females and males and sufficient test-retest reliability, supporting its stability and applicability across sexes.
■ The Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing sexual risk behaviors among university students in Brazil.

Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to translate and evaluate the measurement properties of the Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale into Brazilian Portuguese for use in university students.

Methods:

Content validity was assessed by experts and Brazilian adults. Structural validity was assessed using a confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were assessed using McDonald’s Omega and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. Measurement invariance between females and males was evaluated using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. The measurement error and floor and ceiling effects were also evaluated.

Results:

The experts and Brazilian adults suggested that the five-item Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale was more relevant, comprehensive, and comprehensible. In total (n=633; 22.8±2.0 years), 362 (57.2%) women and 271 (42.8%) men participated in the study. Structural validity indicated a one-factor structure as the best-fitting model, and the internal consistency was sufficient (McDonald’s Omega=0.723). There was measurement invariance between females and males. The test-retest reliability was found to be sufficient (ICC=0.873). Moreover, no systematic error were observed. There was a floor effect across the entire sample.