Psychometric Validation of a Questionnaire on the Chemical–Microbiological Quality of Piped Water in the Urban Population of Ecuador

Authors

  • Anoldo Nicolas Farfán Astudillo Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, Ecuador
  • José Eugenio Zambrano Mendieta Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, Ecuador
  • María Judith Arteaga Véliz Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, Ecuador
  • Tonny Thomas Toala Vergara Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, Ecuador

Keywords:

water quality; perception; psychometrics; reliability and validity; questionnaires

Abstract

Introduction: Public perception of tap water quality, particularly chemical and microbiological risks, directly influences consumption habits and public health. However, there are limitations in the availability of local and valid instruments to measure these perceptions in specific contexts such as Ecuador. Materials and methods: A seven-phase development and validation study was conducted: conceptual definition, expert judgment (CVR/CVI), cognitive interviews, two pilot studies, and an expanded application (n=610) in an urban setting in Ecuador. The process resulted in a final 11-item questionnaire. Results: Exploratory factor analysis confirmed a two-factor structure (Perception of Chemical Risks - PRQ: 5 items; Perception of Microbiological Risks - PRM: 6 items), which explained 65.5% of the variance. Internal consistency was high (ω = 0.881; α = 0.889). Preliminary norms (P25-P50-P75) and scoring rules were established for operational use. Discussion: The findings support the instrument's validity and reliability in measuring the designed constructs. The rigorous methodology ensures traceability and replicability. Limitations include the non-probability sampling and the need for future studies of invariance and predictive validity. Conclusions: The PRIQMA-Red questionnaire is a brief, valid, and reliable tool recommended for municipal monitoring, health education, and intervention evaluation, with the suggestion that confirmatory factor analysis be completed in future research.

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Published

2025-11-23

How to Cite

Farfán Astudillo, A. N., Zambrano Mendieta, J. E., Arteaga Véliz, M. J., & Toala Vergara, T. T. (2025). Psychometric Validation of a Questionnaire on the Chemical–Microbiological Quality of Piped Water in the Urban Population of Ecuador. Maestro Y Sociedad, 22(4), 3251–3258. Retrieved from https://maestroysociedad.uo.edu.cu/index.php/MyS/article/view/7241

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 4 (2025)

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Artículos

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Copyright (c) 2025 Anoldo Nicolas Farfán Astudillo, José Eugenio Zambrano Mendieta, María Judith Arteaga Véliz, Tonny Thomas Toala Vergara

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