Validity and reliability study of clinician attitude towards rural health extension program in Ethiopia: exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis

BACKGROUND: The Ethiopian health extension program (HEP) is an innovative community-based strategy aimed at disease prevention and health promotion. While health extension workers (HEWs) are its front-line workers, the involvement of clinicians remains an integral part. The goals of this study were to: (1) assess the correlation of clinician attitude with predictors and (2) assess the reliability and validity of the survey instrument. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was utilized to collect data from a sample of 1239 clinicians using 28 items of attitude questions. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied to create the latent variables. Oblique Promax type rotation with factor loading (> 0.5) was used. Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess reliability, with a level of > 0.7 suggesting good reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was undertaken, with the values of Root Mean Square Error Administration (RMSEA) < 0.08, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) < 0.05, comparative fit index (CFI) 0.9–0.95, and Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) 0.9–0.95 suggesting acceptable model fit. A linear regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: EFA produced two latent variables which explained 93.2% of the total variance. The latent variables were labeled as perceived attitude towards the skill of HEWs (F1), and perceived attitude towards the impact of HEP (F2). Internal reliability for the 28 items was reported with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.94, and for F1 and F2 it was 0.91 and 0.90, respectively. CFA was done and RMSEA was reported at 0.04, SRMR was 0.03, and CFI and TLI were each 0.97. The value of clinician attitude increased by 3.5, 95% CI (1.5, 5.3), P-value < 0.001 for those who have been exposed to the HEP program than non-exposed. Similarly, clinician attitude was lower for degree holders compared to those with diplomas by − 2.7, 95% CI (− 4.4, − 0.94), P-value < 0.002. CONCLUSION: Clinician attitude increased as exposure to HEP increased. Clinician attitude towards HEP has two latent variables. Furthermore, the assessment tool demonstrated good reliability and validity. In conclusion, it is worthy valued for clinicians to receive orientation about HEP, and researchers and program evaluators can use this assessment tool.