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01-09-2017 | Original Article

Validation of an instrument to assess barriers to care-seeking for accidental bowel leakage in women: the BCABL questionnaire

Authors: Heidi Wendell Brown, Meg E. Wise, Danielle Westenberg, Nicholas B. Schmuhl, Kelly Lewis Brezoczky, Rebecca G. Rogers, Melissa L. Constantine

Published in: International Urogynecology Journal | Issue 9/2017

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Fewer than 30% of women with accidental bowel leakage (ABL) seek care, despite the existence of effective, minimally invasive therapies. We developed and validated a condition-specific instrument to assess barriers to care-seeking for ABL in women.

Methods

Adult women with ABL completed an electronic survey about condition severity, patient activation, previous care-seeking, and demographics. The Barriers to Care-seeking for Accidental Bowel Leakage (BCABL) instrument contained 42 potential items completed at baseline and again 2 weeks later. Paired t tests evaluated test–retest reliability. Factor analysis evaluated factor structure and guided item retention. Cronbach’s alpha evaluated internal consistency. Within and across factor item means generated a summary BCABL score used to evaluate scale validity with six external criterion measures.

Results

Among 1,677 click-throughs, 736 (44%) entered the survey; 95% of eligible female respondents (427 out of 458) provided complete data. Fifty-three percent of respondents had previously sought care for their ABL; median age was 62 years (range 27–89); mean Vaizey score was 12.8 (SD = 5.0), indicating moderate to severe ABL. Test–retest reliability was excellent for all items. Factor extraction via oblique rotation resulted in the final structure of 16 items in six domains, within which internal consistency was high. All six external criterion measures correlated significantly with BCABL score.

Conclusions

The BCABL questionnaire, with 16 items mapping to six domains, has excellent criterion validity and test–retest reliability when administered electronically in women with ABL. The BCABL can be used to identify care-seeking barriers for ABL in different populations, inform targeted interventions, and measure their effectiveness.

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Title: Validation of an instrument to assess barriers to care-seeking for accidental bowel leakage in women: the BCABL questionnaire
Authors: Heidi Wendell Brown
Meg E. Wise
Danielle Westenberg
Nicholas B. Schmuhl
Kelly Lewis Brezoczky
Rebecca G. Rogers
Melissa L. Constantine
Publication date: 01-09-2017
Publisher: Springer London
Published in: International Urogynecology Journal / Issue 9/2017
Print ISSN: 0937-3462
Electronic ISSN: 1433-3023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-016-3261-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Validation of an instrument to assess barriers to care-seeking for accidental bowel leakage in women: the BCABL questionnaire

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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