Adaptation of the sexual and reproductive empowerment scale for adolescents and young adults in Kenya

Bibliographic Data

ID19594291
AuthorsElizabeth K Harrington (0000-0002-8196-069X, University of Washington, corresponding author), Ouma Congo (0009-0005-6830-913X, Kenya Medical Research Institute, corresponding author), Syovata Kimanthi (Kenya Medical Research Institute, corresponding author), Annabell Dollah (corresponding author), Maricianah Onono (0000-0001-6847-8762, Kenya Medical Research Institute, corresponding author), Nelly Mugo (0000-0002-2347-006X, University of Washington, corresponding author), Ruanne V Barnabas (0000-0002-1793-6003, Massachusetts General Hospital, corresponding author), Elizabeth A Bukusi (0000-0002-2031-2808, University of Washington, corresponding author), Ushma D Upadhyay (0000-0002-2731-2157, University of California, San Francisco, corresponding author)
EditorsMuthusamy Sivakami
Year2023
Volume3
Issue10
Pagese0001978
Publication date2023-10-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0001978
PMID37883373
OpenAlexW4387954536
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited35

Measuring empowerment is critical to understanding the level of control adolescents and young adults (AYA) have over their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) behaviors, and could provide a key window into addressing their unique SRH needs. We adapted the Sexual and Reproductive Empowerment (SRE) scale for AYA for use in an East African context. This multi-method qualitative study sampled 15–23 year-old female adolescents and young adults in Kisumu, Kenya. We conducted in-depth interviews (n = 30) and analyzed transcripts with an inductive, constant comparison approach. Empowerment domains were integrated with Kabeer’s (1999) framework in a conceptual model, which we referenced to revise the original and develop new scale items. Items underwent expert review, and were condensed and translated through team-based consensus-building. We evaluated content validity in cognitive interviews (n = 25), during which item phrasing and word choice were revised to generate an adapted SRE scale. Participants (n = 55) had a median age of 18 (range 16–23), and 75% were under 19 years. We categorize three types of adaptations to the SRE scale: new item generation, item revision, and translation/linguistic considerations. We developed nine new items reflecting AYA’s experiences and new domains of empowerment that emerged from the data; new domains relate to self-efficacy in accessing sexual and reproductive health care, and how material needs are met. All items were revised and translated to echo concepts and language relevant to participants, navigating the multilingualism common in many African countries. Centering the voices of female Kenyan AYA, this study provides insight into measuring the latent construct of adolescent sexual and reproductive empowerment in an East African setting, and supports the adapted SRE scale’s content validity for Kenya. We detail our multi-method, theory-driven approach, contributing to limited methods guidance for measure adaptation across contexts and among diverse adolescent populations

Developmental psychology · Empowerment · Environmental health · Geography · Kenya · Political science · Population · Reproductive health · Youth empowerment · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology