Social determinants of health: Peruvian validation of Steps to Better Health Questionnaire (STBH-Q)

BACKGROUND: The social determinants of health translate into social factors that influence health and access to health care. Therefore, it is necessary to detect them with validated and easy-to-administer instruments. OBJECTIVE: Validation of the Steps to Better Health Questionnaire (STBH-Q) on social determinants of health in the Peruvian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Instrumental research in 420 adult participants. The STBH-Q was used and underwent translation, content validation and piloting. Construct validity and reliability were explored. RESULTS: A version of 16 items grouped into five factors that explained 70.03 % of the total variance and an acceptable model fit (χ2/gl = 1.30, NFI = 0.996, CFI = 0.997, SRMR = 0.049, RMSEA = 0.027 [90 % CI = 0.10-0.40]) was corroborated. Discriminant, correlation, tautological and convergent validity with non-communicable diseases were adequate, as well as internal consistency. CONCLUSIONS: The STBH-Q is valid and reliable for use in the Peruvian population. Its use in research and validation studies is recommended.