A health knowledge test for male college freshmen in Saudi Arabia

• Main Author: Hashim, Talal Jamil
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-1988
• Subjects: Health education
• ISBN: 9798206266146

Problem. The problem of the study was to construct a valid and reliable instrument to measure the health knowledge of male freshmen college students in Saudi Arabia. Procedures. The contents of the instrument were derived from the information contained in required health science textbooks used in Saudi high schools and from American health knowledge tests. A large pool of items in the English language was developed, then translated into Arabic. The following steps were taken in constructing the test: (1) development of a table of specifications; (2) construction of test items; (3) development of the preliminary test; (4) administration and analyses of the preliminary test; (5) development of the final test; (6) validation of the final test. To construct the preliminary test, 160 items were selected and arranged in 10 content areas. This test was submitted for review to a jury of experts. Based on jury suggestions, a revised preliminary test was prepared and administered to 200 subjects at Um Al-Qura University in Saudi Arabia. The final test form was administered to a representative sample of 1500 students from two major universities in Saudi Arabia. Findings. The results of statistical analyses of the data related to items and the total test provided evidence of internal consistency and content validity. Reliability coefficients were determined with split-half method corrected by the Spearman-Brown prophecy formula and alpha method. These coefficients were.74 and.73 respectively. Norms in the form of percentile ranks and T-scores were developed. Conclusions. (1) There is evidence of validity and reliability of the final test instrument for measuring the health knowledge of male college freshmen in Saudi Arabia. (2) The test is easily administered and can be completed in a single class period. (3) The test can be used to determine the health information needs of college freshmen. (4) The test provides a means of appraising the curricular content needs of college freshman health instruction. (5) The test can be used as a basis for further research in health education.