title: The development and validation of sexual health indicators of Canadians aged 16-24 years.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We developed and validated a set of self-administered, multi-dimensional indicators of sexual health among Canadians aged 16-24 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a mixed-method qualitative and quantitative approach to develop and validate indicators of sexual health. We used the four-stage Dillman method to identify, focus-test, pilot-test, and validate key metrics to measure sexual health. We collected quantitative data to validate the measures through a computer-assisted self-interviewing program among a purposive sample of 1,158 people aged 16-24 years recruited from four Canadian provinces.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey contained 75 items measuring five dimensions of sexual health: (1) physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being in relation to sexuality; (2) approach to sexuality; (3) sexual relationships; (4) sexual experiences; and (5) discrimination, coercion, and violence. Principal components analysis for composite measures found seven components with eigenvalues ≥1. The factor structure was stable across gender, age, size of area of residence, and language in which the survey was completed. Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.79 to 0.90. Indicators of condom use at last vaginal sex, protection self-efficacy, sexually transmitted infection/HIV testing self-efficacy, and sexual orientation also showed good construct validity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The indicators constituted a conceptually grounded survey that is easy for young adults to complete and contains valid, reliable, and psychometrically robust measures. The survey instrument provides a tool for future research to collect population-level data to measure and monitor trends in the sexual health of young people in Canada.
authors: Public Health Agency of Canada, Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. lisa.smylie@phac-aspc.gc.ca
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Smylie
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Clarke
authors: Maryanne
authors: M
authors: Doherty
authors: Jacqueline
authors: J
authors: Gahagan
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Numer
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: Otis
authors: Greg
authors: G
authors: Smith
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: McKay
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Soon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002170:Canada; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult