Validation and evaluation of the Mandarin version of the oral health literacy adult questionnaire in Taiwan

Objectives This study aimed to translate the Oral Health Literacy Adult Questionnaire into a Mandarin version (MOHL‐AQ) and to examine its psychometric properties. Methods A methodological research using psychometric testing and evaluation of a translated instrument. A convenience sample of 402 participants from northern Taiwan were recruited for the validation of the MOHL‐AQ. Internal consistency reliability, split‐half reliability, inter‐rater reliability, face validity, content validity, and construct validity were evaluated. Results The value of internal consistency and split‐half reliability of the MOHL‐AQ were 0.77 and 0.78, respectively. Content validity reported a high content validity index (CVI = 95%). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and parallel analysis (PA) were used to determine a unidimensional model and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to confirm the model. The indices of good fit model were achieved at GFI = 0.93, AGFI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.04, CFI = 0.90, PGFI = 0.73, χ2/df = 1.86 (p < .001). Most of the item‐total correlations indicated adequate and acceptable convergent validity (r > .30). Conclusion MOHL‐AQ demonstrates adequate psychometric properties for measuring the oral health literacy in Mandarin‐speaking population. Public health nurses can use MOHL‐AQ to assess oral health literacy in the community settings and further screen potential population with inadequate oral health literacy.