# Development and validation of a survey on reproductive health behaviors to reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in Koreans

## TL;DR

This study created and validated a survey to assess how Koreans can reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals through reproductive health behaviors.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is a validated questionnaire focused on reproductive health behaviors to reduce endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure in Koreans.

## Key findings

- The survey includes four factors and 19 items covering main exposure routes like food, respiration, and skin absorption.
- The study verified the reliability and validity of the questionnaire through statistical analyses.
- The tool can help assess behaviors related to reducing endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure in diverse environments.

## Abstract

Recently, issues related to climate change and endocrine-disrupting chemicals have come to the forefront. In particular, the pursuit of convenience has led to increased exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in daily life, posing threats to reproductive health, including infertility and cancer. Therefore, this study aims to develop a questionnaire to assess the reproductive health behaviors of Koreans for reducing exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and to verify its reliability and validity.

This methodological study involved 288 adult men and women in South Korea and conducted item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis.

The developed survey questionnaire consists of four factors and 19 detailed items related to reproductive health behaviors and reproductive health promotion behaviors through the main exposure routes of endocrine-disrupting chemicals: food, respiratory pathways, and skin absorption.

Based on the results of this study, it is hoped that research on reproductive health behaviors aimed at reducing EDC exposure will expand, considering various environments such as national and ethnic differences.