Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background This study aimed to develop and validate a psychometrically sound scale to assess women’s knowledge and attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbot systems in the context of preconception counseling. Methods A methodological scale development study was conducted between February and April 2026 with 474 women aged 18 years and older. Data were collected online using a structured questionnaire including a descriptive information form, the newly developed scale, and the Digital Health Literacy Scale. The sample was randomly divided into two independent groups for exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n = 237) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n = 237). Content validity was assessed using expert evaluation and the Lawshe technique. Construct validity was examined through EFA and CFA. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, and parallel test reliability. Criterion validity was assessed by examining the relationship between the developed scale and digital health literacy. Results The final scale consisted of 19 items and three subdimensions: Acceptance and Intention to Use, Knowledge and Awareness, and Critical Evaluation and Trust. The three-factor structure explained 63.16% of the total variance. CFA results indicated acceptable model fit (χ²/df = 2.668; RMSEA = 0.084; CFI = 0.928; TLI = 0.914). The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.942; McDonald’s ω = 0.946). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the scale and digital health literacy (r = 0.265, p < 0.01), supporting criterion validity. Conclusion The developed scale is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing women’s knowledge and attitudes toward AI-based chatbot systems in preconception counseling. It enables a multidimensional evaluation of user perspectives, including acceptance, knowledge, and trust-related components.</p>