Occupational Health Literacy Scale development and validation in Italy: a pilot study

Objectives

This study aimed to adapt and validate the Occupational Health Literacy Scale (OHLS) for the Italian workforce, assessing its psychometric properties and ensuring its relevance and applicability within this specific cultural setting.

Study design

Validation process by observational and descriptive study.

Methods

Initially, two members of the research team independently translated the original OHLS into Italian. Subsequent comparisons and syntheses of these translations produced a unified Italian document. To ensure translation accuracy, this document was then retranslated back into English. An expert committee with specialized knowledge in occupational safety and health evaluated the retranslations to finalize the Italian version. This version underwent a preliminary test using a pilot group, followed by anonymous administration to a sample of 398 workers.

Results

The adaptation of the OHLS into Italian demonstrated outstanding psychometric characteristics. The scale exhibited an excellent model fit and strong internal consistency. Furthermore, the factorial structures were congruent with theoretical expectations, underscoring the scale's robust construct validity.

Conclusions

The Italian version of the OHLS has been validated as a reliable and effective instrument for quantifying occupational health literacy among Italian workers. This tool's demonstrated validity and reliability suggest its potential for broader application in promoting occupational health awareness and interventions within Italian-speaking populations.