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Journal of Patient-reported Outcomes Sep 2022This study aimed to translate and validate an Arabic version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Head and Neck Scale (FACT-H&N, v-4) for use among Sudanese...
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to translate and validate an Arabic version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Head and Neck Scale (FACT-H&N, v-4) for use among Sudanese oral cancer patients.
METHODS
The instrument underwent translation and validation following the standard FACT translation methodology. The translated instrument was pre-tested for face validity and content validity using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with ten oral cancer patients to assess acceptability. The questionnaire was pilot tested with 60 patients; reliability was tested for internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha while construct validity was tested using 'known-group validity'.
RESULTS
The pre-test study revealed no major issues, apart from a reluctance to answer questions on sexual satisfaction. The FACT-H&N demonstrated good internal consistency, it considered five particular constructs: PWB, SWB, EWB, FWB and FACT-H&N, their Cronbach's α values were positive and close to 1 with values of 0.85, 0.788, 0.86, 0.895 and 0.703 respectively, indicating that the questionnaire was valid and the responses consistent. Sixty patients were asked the global health-related quality of life item, 36.3% rated their QOL as very good or good (36.3%), while 41.7% rated it as average, and 21.7% as poor or very poor. Then FACT subscale mean scores were tabulated against three categories; patients with very poor/poor recorded significantly lower scores indicating construct validity. Some psychometric properties were consistent with other FACT-H&N translations such as the Chinese, French, Pakistani and Malaysian.
CONCLUSIONS
This study validates the Arabic version of the FACT-H&N. It is a reliable tool and, will assist further QoL research in other Arabic-speaking countries.
PubMed: 36114352
DOI: 10.1186/s41687-022-00507-1 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2022Public open spaces (POS) are "publicly owned spaces such as parks, green areas, squares, marketplaces, streets and highways which are of public access". Some attributes...
Public open spaces (POS) are "publicly owned spaces such as parks, green areas, squares, marketplaces, streets and highways which are of public access". Some attributes could increase or decrease participants' attendance. Thus, reliable and valid audit tools are needed in order to measure these attributes. This study aimed to develop and validate a tool to assess POS features within the Mexico City context. The Mexican Public Open Spaces Tool (MexPOS) was developed based on (1) two validated POS audit tools, (2) several visits to the POS, (3) pilot testing, and (4) multiple work sessions with a group of specialists. The original tool included 181 items divided into nine sections. Trained personnel visited and evaluated 944 POS in Mexico City. An exploratory factor analysis was performed to examine the construct validity of the items and the relationship between the subscales. The final model resulted in seven factors: (1) Food and Wellness Environment (α = 0.15), (2) Maintenance (α = 0.81), (3) Amenities (α = 0.72), (4) Legibility (α = 0.59), (5) Security (α = 0.48), (6) Perceived Environment (α = 0.65), and (7) Urban Environment (α = 0.58). Our study highlights the relevance of using a validated tool to measure POS characteristics related to participants' attendance to help assess infrastructure improvements and identify priority areas for changing socio-urban environments for physical activity.
Topics: Cities; Environment Design; Exercise; Humans; Mexico
PubMed: 35805857
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138198 -
NeuroImage. Clinical 2022Voxelwise disconnection mapping is a novel approach to disclose lesion-symptom relationships for symptoms caused by white matter disconnection. It uses MRI-based fiber...
Voxelwise disconnection mapping is a novel approach to disclose lesion-symptom relationships for symptoms caused by white matter disconnection. It uses MRI-based fiber tracking in healthy subjects seeded from patient's focal brain lesions. Resulting individual disconnection maps can then be statistically associated with symptoms. Despite increasing use in the recent years, the validity of this approach remains to be investigated. In this study, we validated both, our own implementation and the implementation provided within BCBtoolkit. For technical validation, we used simulated symptoms based on overlap of 70 real stroke lesions with tracts from a white matter atlas. For clinical validation, paresis scores and lesions from 316 patients with stroke were used. We found that voxelwise disconnection mapping is technically valid and outperforms the standard voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping approach for symptoms caused by white matter disconnection. Supporting its clinical validity and utility, we were able to reproduce the known association between corticospinal tract damage and contralateral hemiparesis. In addition, we demonstrate that the validity can be substantially diminished by relatively minor methodological changes. Based on these results, we derive methodological recommendations for the future use of voxelwise disconnection mapping. Our study highlights the importance of validating novel methodological approaches in the rapidly evolving field of neuroimaging.
Topics: Brain; Brain Mapping; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neuroimaging; Pyramidal Tracts; Stroke; White Matter
PubMed: 36002968
DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103132 -
Developmental Medicine and Child... May 2023To develop and validate the Visual Function Battery for Children with Special Needs (VFB-CSN).
AIM
To develop and validate the Visual Function Battery for Children with Special Needs (VFB-CSN).
METHOD
This was a scale development and validation study with (1) construct and item generation and (2) evaluations of interrater reliability, acceptability, and content, ecological, and convergent validities.
RESULTS
Children with special needs were recruited for the reliability (n = 32) and validity (n = 95) investigations. The construct and items were generated based on literature review and an expert panel. We constructed eight categories, namely visual reflex, ocular muscle balance, visual acuity, oculomotor, visual field, contrast sensitivity, colour/form vision, and visual attention. Both functional assessment and standardized tests were adopted. The reliabilities were high for the whole VFB-CSN (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.80-0.90) and good for the oculomotor, contrast sensitivity, and colour/form vision (ICC = 0.80-0.86, 95% CI = 0.50-0.93). Correlations between the VFB-CSN and the Functional Vision Questionnaire were strong and acceptable for the contrast sensitivity, acuity, and colour/form vision (r = 0.79, r = 0.69, r = 0.69, r = 0.70 respectively). The correlation between the VFB-CSN and standardized visual acuity test was acceptable (r = -0.72).
INTERPRETATION
The VFB-CSN is a reliable and valid multifaceted battery for children with special needs. Acceptable psychometric properties were also found for the acuity and contrast sensitivity.
WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS
The Visual Function Battery for Children with Special Needs (VFB-CSN) can measure several types of visual function. The VFB-CSN also measures varying degrees of visual impairment in children with special needs. The VFB-CSN provides functional assessment and quantitative measurement for children with disability and difficulty in cooperating on standardized tests.
Topics: Child; Humans; Disabled Children; Reproducibility of Results; Disability Evaluation; Vision, Ocular; Visual Acuity; Psychometrics; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 36282724
DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15441 -
International Ophthalmology Nov 2022To translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q) into Persian.
PURPOSE
To translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q) into Persian.
METHODS
This study was carried out in 2 phases: (1) the CVS-Q was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Persian and (2) the validity and reliability of CVS-Q FA were assessed in a cross-sectional validation study. An expert committee composed of 15 optometrists evaluated content validity (item-level (I-CVI) and scale-level (S-CVI) content validity index were calculated). A pretest was performed (n = 20 participants) to verify the comprehensibility of the questionnaire. A total of 102 computer users completed the final questionnaire. Criterion validity and diagnostic performance of the CVS-Q FA were assessed by calculating sensitivity, specificity and receiver characteristic operator curve. Cronbach's alpha was calculated for the assessment of internal consistency and 46 participants refilled the questionnaire for the second time and the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cohen's kappa (κ) were evaluated for test-retest reliability.
RESULTS
The translation and cross-cultural adaptation process was performed successfully according to accepted scientific recommendations without any major difficulties. The I-CVI was above 0.80 for all items (symptoms) except item 15 (feeling that sight is worsening) and the S-CVI was 0.92. The CVS-Q FA showed good sensitivity (81.1%) and acceptable specificity (69.2%). Also, it achieved good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.80) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.81 and κ = 0.65).
CONCLUSION
The CVS-Q FA was successfully translated, cross-culturally adapted, and validated into Persian. This study provides a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of computer vision syndrome among the Iranian working population.
Topics: Humans; Reproducibility of Results; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Cross-Sectional Studies; Iran; Surveys and Questionnaires; Syndrome; Computers
PubMed: 35543851
DOI: 10.1007/s10792-022-02340-3 -
BMC Health Services Research Apr 2021In recent years, health centers in the United States have embraced the opportunity to train the next generation of health professionals. The uniqueness of the health...
BACKGROUND
In recent years, health centers in the United States have embraced the opportunity to train the next generation of health professionals. The uniqueness of the health centers as teaching settings emphasizes the need to determine if health professions training programs align with health center priorities and the nature of any adjustments that would be needed to successfully implement a training program. We sought to address this need by developing and validating a new survey that measures organizational readiness constructs important for the implementation of health professions training programs at health centers where the primary role of the organizations and individuals is healthcare delivery.
METHODS
The study incorporated several methodological steps for developing and validating a measure for assessing health center readiness to engage with health professions programs. A conceptual framework was developed based on literature review and later validated by 20 experts in two focus groups. A survey-item pool was generated and mapped to the conceptual framework and further refined and validated by 13 experts in three modified Delphi rounds. The survey items were pilot-tested with 212 health center employees. The final survey structure was derived through exploratory factor analysis. The internal consistency reliability of the scale and subscales was evaluated using Chronbach's alpha.
RESULTS
The exploratory factor analysis revealed a 41-item, 7-subscale solution for the survey structure, with 72% of total variance explained. Cronbach's alphas (.79-.97) indicated high internal consistency reliability. The survey measures: readiness to engage, evidence strength and quality of the health professions training program, relative advantage of the program, financial resources, additional resources, implementation team, and implementation plan.
CONCLUSIONS
The final survey, the Readiness to Train Assessment Tool (RTAT), is theoretically-based, valid and reliable. It provides an opportunity to evaluate health centers' readiness to implement health professions programs. When followed with appropriate change strategies, the readiness evaluations could make the implementation of health professions training programs, and their spread across the United States, more efficient and cost-effective. While developed specifically for health centers, the survey may be useful to other healthcare organizations willing to assess their readiness to implement education and training programs.
Topics: Delivery of Health Care; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Health Personnel; Humans; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States
PubMed: 33910561
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06406-3 -
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal : SPJ :... Jul 2021Unused medications in homes pose significant health, economic, and environmental risks. Patients are the medications end users and their knowledge, attitude, and...
BACKGROUND
Unused medications in homes pose significant health, economic, and environmental risks. Patients are the medications end users and their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) play an important role towards medication use, unuse and wastage. Thus, a valid instrument to reliably measure patients' KAP towards unused medications in homes may help manage the associated risks.
OBJECTIVE
To develop, translate, and validate a questionnaire for the assessment patients' KAP towards unused medications in Qatar homes (i.e., QUM-Qatar).
SETTING
This cross-sectional validation study was conducted among randomly selected outpatients visiting various public and private pharmacies in Qatar between September 2019 and February 2020.
METHOD
Nine experts in the field of pharmacy practice with Qatar contextual background established the content validity of the instrument. The validity was quantified using content validity index (CVI). Furthermore, construct validity was performed using principal component analysis (PCA), whereas internal consistency reliability of items was determined using Cronbach's alpha. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA 15 statistical software.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
The psychometric properties of the QUM-Qatar assessment instrument.
RESULTS
An English/Arabic questionnaire was developed and validated. Content validity in the form of scale-level-CVI (S-CVI)/Average and S-CVI/UA was 0.88 and 0.84, respectively, suggesting adequate relevant content of the questionnaire. Variation explained by the multivariate model was 85.0% for knowledge, 94.8% for attitude, and 89.8% for practice. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.68, 0.82, and 0.84, for knowledge, attitude, and practice domains, respectively. From the psychometric results obtained, the questionnaire's validity and reliability were attained.
CONCLUSION
The QUM-Qatar instrument has acceptable psychometric properties and has the potential for future use in research and practice to assess KAP towards unused medications in Qatar and elsewhere. It may consequently help in improving medication use and mitigating the negative health, economic, and environmental impacts of unused medications.Impacts on practice.•There is now a valid and reliable English/Arabic language questionnaire to assess patients' KAP towards unused medications.•Policymakers can utilize this questionnaire to develop evidence-based policies and strategies for managing unused medications and their disposal.•To improve medication use review, rational use of medicines, and adherence, it is necessary to consider patient-reported outcomes that may eventually reflect on saving health, economic resources, and environment.
PubMed: 34400858
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2021.04.026 -
BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2020Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and local positioning systems (LPS) are to date common tools to measure external training load in athletes. The aim of this... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE
Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and local positioning systems (LPS) are to date common tools to measure external training load in athletes. The aim of this scoping review was to map out and critically appraise the methods used to validate different GNSS and LPS used in team sports.
METHOD
A total of 48 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The reference systems applied in the validations, and the parameters investigated were extracted from the studies.
RESULTS
The results show a substantial range of reference systems used to validate GNSS and LPS and a substantial number of investigated parameters. The majority of the validation studies have employed relatively simple field-based research designs, with use of measure tape/known distance as reference measure for distance. Timing gates and radar guns were frequently used as reference system for average and peak speed. Fewer studies have used reference system that allow for validation of instantaneous dynamic position, such as infrared camera-based motion capture systems.
CONCLUSIONS
Because most validation studies use simple and cost-effective reference systems which do not allow to quantify the exact path athletes travel and hence misjudge the true path length and speed, caution should be taken when interpreting the results of validation studies, especially when comparing results between studies. Studies validating instantaneous dynamic position-based measures is warranted, since they may have a wider application and enable comparisons both between studies and over time.
PubMed: 33062300
DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000794 -
Journal of Education and Health... 2021Ancient history mentions the dominance of men in nursing; however, now nursing has a feminine image, and globally more than 90% of nursing workforce is females....
BACKGROUND
Ancient history mentions the dominance of men in nursing; however, now nursing has a feminine image, and globally more than 90% of nursing workforce is females. Recently, more number of males are attracted to nursing, but there is a paucity of literature on the attitude of people about men in nursing may be because of a lack of measurement scales available for this purpose. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new scale measuring attitude of people toward men in nursing.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital and used an exploratory sequential design with an instrument development model. A total of 400 participants were selected using the simple random sampling technique. The reliability, content validity, face validity, and construct validity of this newly developed scale were computed. For data analyses SPSS AMOS version 23 was used for performing exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.
RESULTS
The new scale "AMnQ" consists of 15 items under three factors: (I) nursing is feministic and professionally low, (II) higher suitability of male nurses in technical and challenging situations, and (III) synonymy of empathy and care with a female. The final model with 15 items of AMnQ scale was validated by confirmatory factor analysis and showed a good fit to data. The Cronbach's α for the overall scale was 0.87, and for Factors I, II, and III, it was 0.80, 0.88, and 0.89, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The "AMnQ" is a valid, reliable scale to assess the attitude of patients, nurses, physicians, and nursing students toward men in nursing. There is an assumption that nursing is a feminine profession; therefore, a valid and reliable scale to measure the attitude of people toward men in nursing will help to generate pieces of evidence on this subject, so that policymakers can make unbiased decisions on liberalizing entry of men in nursing.
PubMed: 34084801
DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_530_20 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2018Employability is an important issue in the labor context. Currently, the European Union presents employability as the path to full employment and active citizenship, and...
Employability is an important issue in the labor context. Currently, the European Union presents employability as the path to full employment and active citizenship, and a strategy to reduce unemployment and poverty. This study develops and validates an Employability Appraisal Scale. Specifically, we propose a multidimensional employability scale that analyzes both individual indicators and personal circumstances from the Bioecological Model of Employability. The Employability Appraisal Scale (EAS) assesses personal and social dimensions of employability. It was developed and tested using data from 489 people from a very heterogeneous sample (precarious workers, professionals, prisoners, long-term unemployed, socially excluded, etc.). Results provide evidence for the multi-dimensional structure and validity of the EAS. This scale is a valid and reliable instrument to measure employability, and it provides criteria for interpreting scores. Finally, we present theoretical and practical implications of the EAS for social and labor integration, job transition, and career development. Our findings have positive implications for identifying effectiveness indicators in training programs, and they contribute to designing intervention policies to increase employability.
PubMed: 30154748
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01437