Development and validation of the cancer symptoms discrimination scale: a cross-sectional survey of students in Yunnan, China

• Main Authors: Lin-sen Feng, Zheng-jiao Dong, Ruo-yu Yan, Chang-ling Tu, Lan-yu Zhang, Jiang-yun Shen, Shi-yu Zhang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-10-01
• Series: BMC Palliative Care
• Subjects: Cancer; Symptoms discrimination; Scale; Influencing factors; Cross-sectional survey
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12904-020-00662-6

Abstract Background This study aimed to devise a Cancer symptoms Discrimination Scale (CSDS) suitable for China based on a cross-sectional survey. Methods The CSDS was developed using the classical measurement theory. A total of 3610 students from Yunnan province, China, participated in the cross-sectional survey. The test version of the scale was modified by the item analysis method, and after the official version of CSDS was developed, its reliability and validity were verified. A univariate analysis of variance and a multiple linear regression model were used to analyze the influencing factors of cancer symptoms discrimination among the university/college students. Results There were 21 items in total for the CSDS, including 3 subscales --- common clinical manifestations (11 items), physical appearance defects (6 items), and drainage tube(s) wearing (4 items). This CSDS had good validity (GFI = 0.930, AGFI = 0.905, RMR = 0.013, I-CVIs> 0.80, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was satisfactory.) and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.862, spearman-brown coefficient = 0.875). The multiple linear regression showed that certain factors may affect the students’ discrimination level against cancer symptoms (P < 0.05), including gender, major, current education degree, guardian’s highest record of formal schooling, self-rated health status, history of care for cancer patients, family relationship, ways of cancer knowledge acquisition, good/poor understanding of cancer-related information, degree of cancer fear, and their perception of cancer infectiousness. Conclusion This CSDS, with good reliability and validity, can be used for the evaluation of the discrimination risk and levels against cancer symptoms among healthy students.