Pregnancy Planning among Female Sex Workers in Uganda: Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy

Justine Bukenya, Makerere University
Christine Nalwadda, Makerere University
Stella Neema, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Makerere University
Peter Kyambadde, Ministry of Health Uganda
Rhoda Wanyenze, Makerere University
Geraldine Barrett, Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, UK

The aim of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) among female sex workers (FSWs) in Uganda. The LMUP was translated into Luganda. From the final Luganda LMUP, three other language versions were created (Acholi, Lugisu, and Runyakole), and preliminary field test data were collected. Final data were collected from 819 FSWs attending the ‘Most at Risk Population Initiative’ clinics. The Luganda field testing showed that there were no missing data, the scale was well targeted, Cronbach’s alpha was 0.82, weighted Kappa was 0.78, the measurement was unidimensional, and all construct validity hypotheses were met. Likewise, with the Acholi, Lugisu, and Runyankole translations, field testing showed acceptable psychometric measures. We concluded that the Luganda LMUP is a valid and reliable tool for assessing pregnancy planning among FSWs in Uganda and that the Acholi, Lugisu, and Runyankole versions of the LMUP also had good initial psychometric properties.