Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Questionnaire (CCSTQ) in Turkish Women

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Questionnaire (CCSTQ) in Turkish Women

Cervical cancer remains an important public health issue affecting women's health. Cervical cancer screening plays a key role in reducing morbidity and mortality through early detection. Women's decisions to participate in screening are influenced not only by knowledge, but also by psychosocial factors such as social norms, perceived threat, perceived benefits and barriers, and self-efficacy. The Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Questionnaire (CCSTQ) is a multidimensional instrument designed to assess psychological and social determinants that may influence women's participation in cervical cancer screening. The aim of this study is to translate and culturally adapt the CCSTQ into Turkish and to evaluate its psychometric properties among Turkish women.

Cervical cancer remains an important public health issue affecting women's health. Cervical cancer screening plays a key role in reducing morbidity and mortality through early detection. Women's decisions to participate in screening are influenced not only by knowledge, but also by psychosocial factors such as social norms, perceived threat, perceived benefits and barriers, and self-efficacy. The Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Questionnaire (CCSTQ) is a multidimensional instrument designed to assess psychological and social determinants that may influence women's participation in cervical cancer screening. The aim of this study is to translate and culturally adapt the CCSTQ into Turkish and to evaluate its psychometric properties among Turkish women.

This is a methodological study designed to translate, culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the CCSTQ in Turkish women. The study will be conducted in two phases: (1) translation and cross-cultural adaptation following international guidelines and recommendations; and (2) psychometric evaluation including factor structure, convergent validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, item discrimination, ceiling and floor effects, and known-groups validity. Women aged 21-65 years who meet the eligibility criteria and complete the Turkish version of the CCSTQ for psychometric evaluation. The study will end when the target sample size is reached and final assessments are completed.

Statistical analyses will be conducted using International Business Machines Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) Statistics.

• Continuous variables: mean ± standard deviation (SD) for normally distributed data; median and range for non-normally distributed data
• Categorical variables: number and percentage
• Normality assessment: Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and visual methods
• Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) for construct validity
• Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) for test-retest reliability
• Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency
• Significance level set at probability value (p) < 0.05
• Ceiling and floor effects defined as >15% concentration at the highest or lowest possible score.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Native Turkish speakers who can read and understand Turkish
• Aged between 21 and 65 years
• Able to communicate consciously and effectively
• Previously and/or currently sexually active
• Provide informed consent and agree to complete the Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Questionnaire (CCSTQ)
• Voluntary female participants

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of total hysterectomy without cervical preservation
• Previous diagnosis of cervical cancer
• Severe mental illness or cognitive impairment
• Inability to complete the CCSTQ