SAFE MOTHERHOOD: Development of a Scale to Evaluate Safe Motherhood Practices in Childbirth and the Postpartum Period (For Healthcare Professionals)

Background: Receiving qualified and safe maternity care enables the early detection and prevention of potential complications in all stages of childbirth for both mother and newborn. Despite ongoing advancements in safe motherhood practices, a standardised instrument to evaluate healthcare professionals' competencies in this domain remains uncharted territory. Aim: The aim of the study was to develop the Safe Motherhood Scale and to evaluate its validity and reliability. Methods: This methodological study was conducted online with 341 participants through social media platforms and internet-based channels between March 15 and June 30, 2025. The data collection tools of the study included a Personal Information Form and the Safe Motherhood Scale (for healthcare professionals) were used. An item pool was developed based on a comprehensive literature review, and analyses for content and construct validity were performed. For reliability analyses, Cronbach's alpha, item-total score correlations and the test–retest method were employed. Statistical significance was determined at the p < 0.05 level. Results: The statistical analyses indicated that the Safe Motherhood Scale, comprising 22-item and four subscales, is a valid and reliable measurement instrument. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) value of 0.83. Confirmatory factor analysis results indicated acceptable model fit indices: CMIN/DF = 2.05, GFI = 0.77, TLI = 0.77, CFI = 0.80 and RMSEA = 0.09 (90% CI [0.081, 0.107]). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the overall scale was 0.81. Conclusion: The Safe Motherhood Scale has been established as a valid and reliable instrument for assessing healthcare professionals' competencies in implementing safe motherhood practices. The scale is recommended for use in various areas, including the evaluation of safe motherhood services, identification of areas for improvement and assessment of healthcare professionals' training needs.