PSYCHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE TURKISH VERSION OF THE VAGINAL EXAMINATION PERCEPTIONS SCALE

Purpose: This study aimed to adapt the Vaginal Examination Perceptions Scale into the Turkish language and evaluate its psychometric properties.Methods: This cross-sectional, methodological study included 296 participants.The scale was reviewed by expert midwifery clinicians and academics to ensure the format, content, and construct validity. Reliability and internal consistency were assessed using Cronbach's alpha and item analysis.Results: Exploratory factor analysis identified three factors, consistent with the original structure, with item loadings ranging from 0.531 to 0.835. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated good model fit (χ²/df = 2.357, RMSEA = 0.068, CFI = 0.937, GFI = 0.904, p < .001). The Cronbach's alpha for the 17-item scale was 0.93, indicating excellent reliability. Item-total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.30 to 0.79.Conclusions: The findings confirmed that the Vaginal Examination Perceptions Scale has strong psychometric properties to measure the perception of VE among Turkish women. This sclae is a feasible, reliable, and valid instrument recommended for use in future studies.