Coping With Sand and Dust Storms: Developing and Validating of an Adaptation Assessment Tool Publisher



Salehi S^{1, 2, 3} ; Ardalan A^{2, 3} ; Ostadtaghizadeh A^{2, 3} ; Zareiyan A⁴ ; Garmaroudi G⁵ ; Rahimiforoushani A⁶ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Air Pollution and Health Published:2024

Abstract

Introduction: Given the multitude of climate changes and the varying level of adaptation in different societies, it is necessary to measure the degree of adaptation to climate change in any society, as these aids in planning strategies to promote adaptation. Achieving such a goal requires the use of reliable, stable, and indigenous culture-based tools. The purpose of this study is to design and psychometrically assess the adaptation of Iranian society to dust. Materials and methods: The present investigation is a sequential exploratory combined study that utilizes an instrumentation approach. The primary tool, consisting of 101 design items, was developed Based on indicators extracted from two qualitative studies and a systematic review. Its face (quantitative and qualitative), content (qualitative and quantitative), and structural validity among 432 citizens of Ahvaz in southwest Iran were evaluated using exploratory factor analysis. The reliability of the tool was then calculated using Cronbach's alpha test and the intra-cluster correlation index. Results: After calculating the item effect score index with values higher than 1.5, the content validity ratio higher than 0.49, and the content validity index higher than 0.79, 40 items out of the initial 101 were selected. Through exploratory factor analysis, the items were further reduced to 34 and grouped into four areas, based on the eigenvalue being higher than 1. The tool's reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.974 and an Intra-Cluster Correlation index (ICC) of 0.951 with a 95% confidence interval. Conclusion: This study successfully designed and produced a tool for measuring the adaptability to dust, comprising 34 items categorized into four areas: optimistic capacity, adjustment, adaptation, and response. This tool can quantitatively measure society's adaptability to dust. With its strong validity and reliability, the tool can identify both the weakness and strengths of a society's adaptation to dust, compare the level of adaptation across different societies, and determine trends within a society. © 2024 Tehran University of Medical Sciences.