Validation of the French version of the Functional, Communicative and Critical Health Literacy scale (FCCHL)

BACKGROUND: Health literacy is a key asset, defined as the capacity to acquire, understand and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health. OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability and validity of the French translation of the Functional, Communicative and Critical Health Literacy (FCCHL) scale. METHODS/PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire was proposed to all members of Seintinelles association. Exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Data from 2342 respondents (45.8% had cancer history) were analysed. The FCCHL scale was well-accepted (missing value by item ≤0.7%). Factor analysis revealed an acceptable fit of three-factor model (comparative fit index = 0.922, root mean square error of approximation = 0.065 and standardized root mean square residual = 0.052). The FCCHL showed satisfactory reliability (α = 0.77) and scalar invariance was reached for education and deprivation, but not for age. Known group validity was verified as mean scale scores differed according to education, deprivation and age, as expected. CONCLUSION: The French version of the FCCHL provides a brief reliable and valid measure to explore the dimensions of health literacy. It could be used by health professionals to screen for health literacy level in order to develop this skill and to tailor health communication. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s41687-018-0027-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.