PSYCHOMETRIC VALIDATION OF THE CARE TRANSITIONS MEASURE (CTM-15) FOR BRAZILIAN USE IN HIGH-RISK PUERPERAL WOMEN

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the reliability and validity of the psychometric properties of the Care Transitions Measure scale for use in at-risk Brazilian postpartum women. Method: This is a methodological study. Inclusion criteria: being hospitalized risk puerperal women, with access to a fixed or mobile telephone line after hospital discharge. A sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and the Social Support Scale of the Medical Outcomes Study were applied at the bedside. Between seven and 30 days, the Care Transitions Measure was applied by telephone. The reliability of the scale was tested by Cronbach's alpha. The Chi-Square adjustment test and respective degrees of freedom were performed to test the proposed model. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to verify any possibility of factor structure. Results: The Care Transitions Measure showed high internal consistency (0.902) overall and by factors. The four-factor model was statistically more adjusted when compared to the unifactorial model. The factor loadings showed values higher than 0.664, pointing to an effective contribution of each item. Also, when assessing the capacity for discrimination between the scales, the results showed a good capacity for discrimination. Conclusion: The instrument presented valid and reliable psychometric properties to evaluate the transition of care from the perspective of at-risk postpartum women. The four-factor model was statistically more adjusted.