Development and validation of the Multidimensional Instrument for Social Perception of Water Scarcity (IMPSEH) in rural communities in northern Mexico
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Water scarcity in northern Mexico transcends the physical availability of water, affecting public health and social cohesion. The aim of this research was to develop and validate the Multidimensional Instrument of Social Perception of Water Scarcity (IMPSEH, by its Spanish acronym) in rural communities of northern Mexico. Using a psychometric, quantitative, cross-sectional design, an initial 85-item version was constructed, comprising nine dimensions: sociodemographic characteristics, water supply and access, water quality, social perception, conservation practices, perceived environmental impact, impact on health and well-being, governance and participation, and water insecurity (HWISE-4). Content validity, assessed by eight expert judges using the relevance (iP) and clarity (iU) indices, showed high relevance (iP = 0.91) and clarity close to the acceptance threshold (iU = 0.79), resulting in an 84-item version. The instrument was administered through simple random sampling to 350 adults (aged 18 to 94) in the municipality of San Francisco de Conchos, Chihuahua. Reliability analysis yielded Cronbach's alpha values between 0.70 and 0.86. It is concluded that the IMPSEH provides evidence of content validity and acceptable-to-good internal consistency, and constitutes an original tool for diagnosing water-related problems and informing public policy grounded in the human right to water.
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