Design and content validation of a preventive aquatic competence assessment instrument for 11 and 12 year olds

Abstract

Background: Drowning ranks among the 10 leading causes of death from unintentional injuries in children aged 10 to 14 worldwide. The World Health Organization (2014) states that this injury is entirely preventable through interventions that promote multiple layers of protection (WHO, 2014).

Goals: To design and validate an instrument for measuring preventive aquatic competences in children aged 11 and 12.

Method: The content validation method was carried out through the agreement and consensus of 9 experts through the Delphi technique. After collecting the expert judgment contributions, the scale was adjusted according to their indications and a second review was carried out to obtain a proper Kendall coefficient. Comprehension validity was verified after applying the scale to an independent sample. 

Results: The Preventive Aquatic Competence Assessment Scale is presented with an adequate content validity. It evaluates the current state of preventive aquatic motor competence, in relation to underwater, flotation, swimming, swimming with orientation and self-assessment competences. 

Conclusions: The Preventive Aquatic Competence Assessment Scale allows different aquatic competence performances bringing out an important resource to be applied in various contexts.

Keywords: aquatic education, drowning, self-assessment, prevention, swimming, measurement.