Author Identifier
Date of Award
2026
Keywords
falls, falls prevention, older adults, nursing, nursing students, nursing education, patient safety, KAP survey, KAP model, Delphi study
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (Nursing) Honours
School
School of Nursing and Midwifery
First Supervisor
Marcus Ang
Second Supervisor
Lisa Whitehead
Abstract
Background: Falls among older adults remain a significant global health concern. Nursing students are actively involved in falls prevention across a range of healthcare settings. To date, however, no validated survey instrument has been available to measure their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of falls prevention for older adults in a comprehensive way.
Aim: The present study aimed to address this gap by developing such a survey instrument and establishing its initial content validity.
Methods: A modified Delphi study was conducted to develop the Falls Education Evaluation Tool for Nursing Students (FEET-NS). Six experts from diverse healthcare backgrounds rated each item on relevance and clarity, with consensus assessed through the item-level content validity index (I-CVI), the scale-level content validity average method (S-CVI/Ave), and modified kappa statistics. Four nursing students also rated items and provided supplementary qualitative feedback.
Results: After refinement, 37 of the original 43 items were retained, with the FEET-NS achieving strong content validity overall: S-CVI/Ave values of 0.94 for relevance and 0.89 for clarity, along with excellent I-CVI and modified kappa values for most items. A marked discrepancy emerged between expert and student ratings of relevance (S-CVI/Ave 0.94 vs. 0.65).
Conclusion: The FEET-NS is the first validated survey instrument designed to measure nursing students’ KAP of falls prevention for older adults. By offering researchers and education providers a structured means of identifying knowledge gaps and shaping curricular revision, the tool supports the preparation of a future nursing workforce to reduce falls and fall-related injuries among older adults.
Access Note
Access to this thesis is embargoed until 28th January 2028
Recommended Citation
Ji, G. (2026). Developing and validating a survey tool for measuring nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices of falls prevention among older adults: A modified Delphi study. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/20jx-7t96