Validation of the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) Using Factor Analysis and Rasch Measurement Theory

The purpose of this study is to use factor analysis (exploratory factor analysis and bifactor confirmatory factor analysis) and Rasch measurement theory to analyze the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM). The goal is to achieve three objectives: (a) to verify construct validity of the survey by examining the factor structure, (b) to evaluate the item effectiveness in measuring the continuum of household food insecurity based on Rasch measurement theory, and (c) to combine the outcomes of both models to establish their consistency. Our findings reveal 18 items of HFSSM that contribute to assessing household food security as a unidimensional construct. The methods used in this study can be applied to validate and assess scales in various other areas.