Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the PEER-U scale

ABSTRACT

Background: Antenatal care is necessary for mother and infant by reducing or eliminating the risks which may occur in the antenatal and postnatal period. Ultrasound is one of the most commonly used examination methods in antenatal monitoring. Evaluating the expectations, experiences and reactions of both parents during routine ultrasound examinations is essential to provide the best antenatal care.

Objective: This study aims to test the validity and reliability of the PEER-U scale developed for Sweden by Ekelin et al.

Method: The PEER-U scale consists of before and after ultrasound scales. Four hundred and thirty-six parents participated in the study. Interviews were conducted with all participating parents in a private room 15 minutes before and five minutes after the ultrasound. Researchers analysed the PEER-U scale for language, content, construct, criterion-referenced validity and internal consistency reliability.

Results: The Turkish version of PEER-U has 21 items in the before ultrasound scale and 21 items in the after ultrasound scale. Cronbach's alpha was 0.65 for the before ultrasound scale and 0.89 for the after ultrasound scale.

Conclusion: The study determined that the Turkish version of the PEER-U scale is a valid and reliable scale for Turkish society.     

Development and verification of validity and reliability of the WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated a cross-cultural project to develop the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire. This paper describes how the brief version of this questionnaire was adapted for use in Taiwan and the results of validity and reliability testing. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were collected from 1,068 subjects randomly sampled from 17 hospitals throughout Taiwan. According to the psychometric criteria of the WHO, two (culturally relevant) national items were selected, each from a culture-specific facet that was proposed for Taiwan in a previous study. psychometric properties (factor structures and various types of reliability and validity) were assessed for this brief questionnaire. RESULTS: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a four-factor (physical, psychological, social, and environmental) model. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) coefficients ranged from 0.70 to 0.77 for the four domains. The test-retest reliability coefficients with intervals of 2 to 4 weeks ranged from 0.41 to 0.79 at item/facet level and 0.76 to 0.80 at domain level (all p < 0.01). Content validity coefficients were in the range of 0.53 to 0.78 for item-domain correlations and 0.51 to 0.64 for inter-domain correlations (all p < 0.01). The four domains of the brief form can explain 88% of the variance of the total QOL score and 60% of the variance of the Facet G score (measuring overall quality of life and general health). CONCLUSIONS: This culture-specific study shows that this adaptation of the brief form is a good alternative to the long form of the WHOQOL questionnaire for use in Taiwan.     

Psychometric evaluation of the Taiwan version of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To adapt the Taiwan version of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and evaluate its psychometric properties. METHODS: The DASH questionnaire was adapted through the process of translation, back-translation, and expert review. Eighty two subjects with upper extremity disorders were recruited in a medical center and 46 of these patients could be followed up to assess retest reliability in less than 10 days. Cronbach alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient were used to evaluate the internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Principal axis factor analysis was performed to assess the factor-construct validity, while concurrent validity was tested with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) Taiwan version questionnaire. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the Taiwan version of the DASH questionnaire was high (Cronbach alpha = 0.96) and the test-retest reliability was satisfactory (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.9). Principal axis factor analysis confirmed the 1-factor model. The Pearson correlation coefficients of the DASH questionnaire to the SF-36 showed a correlation with physical component summary scores rather than mental component summary scores. Bodily pain, physical function and role-physical scores among the SF-36 subscales were most significantly correlated with DASH disability/symptom scores. CONCLUSION: The Taiwan version of the DASH questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of health status for patients with upper-extremity disorders.     

Validity and reliability of the neonatal skin condition score

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the validity and reliability of the Neonatal Skin Condition Scale (NSCS) used in the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) neonatal skin care evidence-based practice project. SETTING: NICU and well-baby units in 27 hospitals located throughout the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Site coordinators (N = 27) and neonates (N = 1,006) observed during both the pre and postimplementation phases of the original neonatal skin care project. METHOD: To assess reliability, two consecutive NSCS assessments on a single infant were analyzed. Site coordinators were contacted after the original project was concluded. Sites indicating that a single nurse scored all infant skin observations provided data that were used to evaluate intrarater reliability. Sites using more than one nurse to score skin observations provided data that were used to assess interrater reliability. To assess validity, the following variables were used from the original data set: the Neonatal Skin Condition Scale (NSCS), with three subscales for dryness, erythema, and breakdown; birth weight in grams; number of skin score observations for each infant; and the prevalence of infection, defined as a positive blood culture. RESULTS: For intrarater reliability, 16 sites used a single nurse for all NSCS assessments; total NSCS assessments 475. For interrater reliability, 11 sites used multiple raters; total assessments 531. The NSCS demonstrated adequate reliability for each of the three subscales and for the total score, with the percent agreement between scores ranging from 68.7% to 85.4% (intrarater) and 65.9% to 89% (interrater); all Kappas were significant at p < .001 and were in the moderate range for reliability. The validity of the NSCS was demonstrated by the findings that smaller infants were 6 times more likely to have erythema (chi2(6) = 109.55, p < .0001), and approximately twice as likely to have the most severe breakdown (chi2(6) = 108.01, p < .0001). Infants with more observations (longer length of stay) had higher skin scores (odds ratio = 1.21, p < .0001), and an increased probability of infection was noted for infants with higher skin scores (odds ratio = 2.25, p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The Neonatal Skin Condition Score (NSCS) is reliable when used by single and multiple raters to assess neonatal skin condition, even across weight groups and racial groups. Validity of the NSCS was demonstrated by confirmation of the relationship of the skin condition scores with birth weight, number of observations, and prevalence of infection.     

Factor structure, validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the Cambridge Worry Scale

Objective

to analyse the factor structure and reliability of the Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS) in the Spanish population.

Design

prospective cross-sectional study using a postal questionnaire.

Setting

the study was conducted at a university hospital in Madrid between October 2007 and December 2008.

Participants

285 Spanish pregnant women.

Methods

factor structure of a Spanish version (original 16 items test and reduced 13 items version) of the scale was analysed through exploratory factor analysis.

Findings

the Spanish version of the reduced 13 items version replicated the original factor structure. The internal consistency was good for the total scale (0.83) and for the subscales (0.70–0.79). Significant positive correlations between the CWS and its subscales with anxiety, depression and neuroticism were found. Similarly, acceptable to good reliability and convergent validity indexes were obtained for the original 16 items test.

Discussion

the present study confirmed the validity of the two Spanish versions of the CWS (16 item and reduced 13 item). Considering the performance of two of the three items eliminated from the original version and the universality in the use of the short version we recommend the use of the reduced 13 item scale. Practical implications of the use of the CWS in maternity care are discussed.     

Etiology, severity and recurrence of acute pancreatitis in southern taiwan.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Changes in lifestyle have led to variation in the etiologies of acute pancreatitis indifferent areas of Taiwan. This study investigated the etiologies and factors associated with severity and recurrence of acute pancreatitis in southern Taiwan. METHODS: Eighty acute pancreatitis patients (M/F: 64/16), including 53 (66.2%) with alcohol abuse, 16 (20%) with biliary disease, five (6.3%) with hyperlipidemia, and six (7.5%) with other risk factors, etiologies or idiopathic disease, were included. The mean follow-up period was 20 months. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was used to assess the severity of acute pancreatitis. RESULTS: Biliary pancreatitis was significantly associated with females while alcoholic pancreatitis occurred predominantly in males. Univariate analysis showed that male gender, alcoholic pancreatitis, and elevated serum triglyceride (>170 mg/dL) were significantly associated with severe acute pancreatitis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender and abnormal serum triglyceride were independent risk factors for severity. Alcohol abuse was an independent risk factor for recurrent pancreatitis. CONCLUSIOn: Alcoholic pancreatitis was the major etiology of acute pancreatitis in southern Taiwan, exhibiting a strong male predominance and higher risk of severe CT grading. Abnormal serum triglyceride was independently associated with the severity of acute pancreatitis. Alcoholic pancreatitis had a higher risk of recurrence than other etiologies.     

Validity and utility of the PRIME-MD patient health questionnaire in assessment of 3000 obstetric-gynecologic patients: the PRIME-MD Patient Health Questionnaire Obstetrics-Gynecology Study

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of mental disorders among obstetric-gynecologic patients and to assess the validity and utility of the PRIME-MD Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) in this population. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 3000 patients were assessed by 63 clinicians at seven obstetrics-gynecology outpatient care sites. The main outcome measures were PRIME-MD PHQ diagnoses, psychosocial stressors, independent diagnoses made by mental health professionals, functional status measures, disability days, health care use, and treatment or referral decisions. RESULTS: Current mental disorders were fairly prevalent, present in 1 in 5 obstetric-gynecologic patients. Patients with PRIME-MD PHQ diagnoses had more functional impairment, disability days, health care use, and psychosocial stressors than did patients without PRIME-MD PHQ diagnoses (P <.005 for all measures). Although most clinicians judged the PRIME-MD PHQ to be useful in management decisions, the questionnaire diagnosis of mental disorder rarely led to therapeutic intervention. CONCLUSION: The PRIME-MD PHQ is a useful instrument for the assessment of mental disorders, functional impairment, and recent psychosocial stressors in the busy obstetrics-gynecology setting.     

Validation of an Italian version of the prolapse quality of life questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: To validate the italian translated version of the prolapse quality of life questionnaire (P-QOL). STUDY DESIGN: The P-QOL questionnaire was translated into Italian and administered to women recruited from a gynaecology outpatient clinic. All women completed a P-QOL questionnaire at the time of the visit, and were examined in left lateral position using the ICS prolapse score. A second P-QOL questionnaire was posted and completed by women 1 week later. The validity was assessed by measuring levels of missing data, comparing symptom scores with objective prolapse stages and between affected and asymptomatic women. The reliability was assessed by testing internal consistency and stability using 1-week test retest analysis. RESULTS: 132 symptomatic and 61 asymptomatic women were studied. The number of missing items was 2%. P-QOL domain scores were significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic women (P<0.001). Severity according to P-QOL strongly correlated with the prolapse size (P<0.01, rho>0.5). All items achieved a Cronbach alpha greater than 0.8. The test retest reliability confirmed a highly significant correlation between the total scores for each domain. CONCLUSION: The Italian version of the P-QOL questionnaire has been validated, providing a reliable, easily comprehensible and valid instrument for the symptomatic assessment of Italian-speaking women with uterovaginal prolapse.     

Factor structure,validity, and reliability of the Spanish version of the Women's Views of Birth Labour Satisfaction Questionnaire

Objectiveto analyse the factor structure of the Women's Views of Birth Labour Satisfaction Questionnaire (WOMBLSQ) using confirmatory factor analysis.Designprospective cross-sectional study. Data were collected through a mail questionnaire.Settingthe study was conducted at a University Hospital in Madrid.Participants298 pregnant Spanish women.Methodsconfirmatory factor analysis was used to identify the best-fit model.Findingsthe best fit for the Spanish version of the scale was an eight-factor model, after removing the control factor from the original scale, and merging all items related to pain into one. Internal consistency was satisfactory for the full scale (.82), although the reliability of two factors was less than .45.Conclusionthis study has provided preliminary evidence that supports the use of the Spanish version of the WOMBLSQ to assess childbirth satisfaction in Spanish-speaking women. Nevertheless, further studies will be needed to determine the validity of the questionnaire and to compare it to other existing tools.     

Validity and reliability of the Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale

Objective:  To assess the psychometric properties of a scale measuring mothers' perceptions of readiness for discharge after birth.
Design:  Psychometric analyses including construct validity using factor analysis and known groups comparisons, predictive validity, and reliability. Data were collected at discharge and 6 weeks postdischarge.
Setting: Tertiary-level perinatal center in the Midwestern United States.
Participants:  1,462 postpartum mothers.
Intervention:  None.
Main outcome measures:  Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale scores; subscale scores for personal status and knowledge factors.
Results:  Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the scale contained two factors. Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale scores were lower for mothers who were breastfeeding, married, primiparous, and had a short hospital stay (less than 30 hours) than for their comparison groups. The Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale personal status factor was predictive of self-reported physical and psychosocial problems and unscheduled utilization of health services in the first 6 weeks postpartum. The knowledge factor was predictive of postdischarge telephone calls to the pediatric provider. Reliability estimates ranged from 0.83 to 0.89 for the total scale and subscales.
Conclusions:  The Perceived Readiness for Discharge After Birth Scale performed well in psychometric testing. Assessing mothers' perceptions of readiness for discharge is important for measuring outcomes of hospitalization and for identifying mothers at risk for postdischarge problems. JOGNN , 35, 34-45; 2006.DOI: 10.1111/J.1552-6909.2006.00020.x     

Translation and validation of Taiwan Chinese version of the self-regulation questionnaire for gynecologic cancer survivors

ObjectiveTo culturally adapt the self-regulation questionnaire to the Taiwan Chinese version (TC-SRQ) and to evaluate its psychometric properties for gynecologic cancer survivors.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study was employed with a purposive sample of 287 gynecologic cancer survivors. The TC-SRQ was adapted from a Germany version through back-translation to ensure its quality. For construct validity, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess the TC-SRQ measurement model with fit indexes including the χ² test, the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and the normed fit index (NFI), the comparative fit index (CFI), and non-normed fit indices (NNFI). For concurrent validity, the Taiwanese version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's 30-item core quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) questionnaire was used as a criterion measure for quality of life (QOL). Reliability was evaluated by internal consistency and test-retest reliability.ResultsFor a modified measurement model of TC-SRQ, the model fit (χ² = 311.23, P = .0; RMSEA = .088; NFI = .97, CFI = .98, NNFI = .97) was acceptable. The evidence of construct validity of TC-SRQ scale was confirmed by the model estimates. TC-SRQ correlated positively with the global QOL, physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning domains, and negatively with fatigue and pain domains of EORTC QLQ-C30. For known groups validity, TC-SRQ was correlated with groups attributed by age, family support, health status, and sleep quality. A Cronbach's α of .91 indicated good internal consistency; the test-retest reliability was .82.ConclusionsTC-SRQ is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing self-regulation in gynecologic cancer survivors.     

Spanish version of Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory: transcultural adaptation and reliability

Aim: To transcultural adapt and analyze the reliability of Spanish version of Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory (PSI) and assess the prevalence of pregnancy symptoms in Spanish pregnant women.

Materials and methods: A subsample of 120 healthy pregnant women answered the PSI twice and a sample of 280 report the prevalence and limitation of pregnancy symptoms. The reliability was examined by means of percent agreement and weighted Kappa coefficients. The prevalence of pregnancy symptoms was evaluated by the frequency of answers.

Results: Perfect and perfect-acceptable agreement was observed in 82% and 96% of the pregnant women, respectively. Weighted Kappa coefficients ranged from 0.589 to 0.889, indicating a good reliability. The most frequent symptoms perceived by Spanish pregnant women were urinary frequency, poor sleep, increased vaginal discharge and tiredness.

Conclusion: Spanish Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory is a brief, conceptually equivalent and satisfactory reliable tool that allows an early assessment of the wide range of pregnancy symptoms in the health care practices.     

Illness status, causes for disability and social factors influencing disability in pregnancy. 3. Social factors influencing disability

The following statistically significant dependences could be demonstrated. The average duration of unfitness for work higher was with the increasing age. Unmarried pregnant women had a shorter average duration of unfitness for work than married ones. Corresponding to the degree of the professional qualification the average duration of unfitness for work increased. Pregnant women who were working in the industrial production, in the sphere of trade and service and in the educational system had a higher average frequency of unfitness for work than other groups of occupation. In connection with the results possible engagements and behavioural patterns of pregnant women are discussed, especially the correlations between occupation and pregnancy.     

Incidence of surgery in developmental dysplasia of the hip in taiwan.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Early detection and treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) by screening in nursery has been recommended for several decades. With the recent survey of high prevalence of surgery for DDH in Taiwan, it has raised issues of the effectiveness of baby hip screening. METHODS: National Health Insurance covers 97% of the 22 million population in Taiwan. From the databank, we retrieved children who were admitted from birth to 5 years of age, with the diagnosis of DDH (International Classification of Disease version 9 [ICD-9] code 754.3x) or had had one of the treatments for DDH (ICD-9 code 77.39, 79.75, 79.85, 88.32) between 1997 and 2004. RESULTS: There were 1229 children undergoing surgeries for DDH in this study. A total of 1097 of them were female (89%). The mean age at the first surgery was 1.7 years. Major operation, open reduction with or without osteotomy, accounted for 85% of the cases. The number of children who were born between 1997 and 1999 and who had surgery for DDH were 160, 129 and 134, respectively. Incidences of surgery for DDH among these 3 cohort years were 0.49, 0.48 and 0.47 per thousand live births, respectively. CONCLUSION: The incidence of DDH in Taiwan was reported as 1.2 per thousand, so 40% of the DDH children underwent surgery. However, with 87% of surgeries occurring after walking age, it is reasonable to postulate that the screening program was not performed accurately or universally. The rate of major procedures in surgical cases of DDH is a better indicator for the effectiveness of mass screening.     

Morbidity status, causes for work disability and social factors influencing work disability in pregnancy. 2. Causes for work disability

The higher level of patients of pregnant woman in comparison with non-pregnant ones results from a higher unfitness for work which nearly corresponds to the increase of sicknesses depending on gestation. From all causes of unfitness for work more than 60% were depending on gestation. Causes for the half of the release from work depending on gestation were the three diagnoses threatening abortion, threatening premature birth and bleedings. On the total level of patients of 11.66% they had a share of 5.70% points. Infections of the ureter, the diagnosis' 'Other complications in pregnancy', hyperemesis and gestoses followed. Infections of the upper respiratory tract and influenza were the causes of all releases from work which were not depending on gestation. Their share on the level of patients amounted to 0.9% points. Releases from work because of sicknesses of circulation and of the digestive tract followed in their frequency. A number of further causes of unfitness for work had only a small share on the happenings of unfitness for work.     

Morbidity, causes of work disability and social factors influencing work disability in pregnancy. 1. Morbidity

The level of patients was analysed on 1,100 pregnant women. The average duration of unfitness for work amounted to 25.7 days. Up to the end of the 34th week of pregnancy 65.4% of the working pregnant women were one or several times unfit for work. Two thirds of all releases from work happened between the 17th and 34th weeks. Pregnant women with risk factors had a significantly higher average frequency and duration of unfitness for work. The indications for intensive care of pregnant women are to be set more severely. The professional expositions of pregnant women have to be more organised by labor rights. Individual behavioural patterns from the view of the doctor and of the pregnant women influence on the occurrence of unfitness for work.     

The functional assessment of cancer-vulvar: reliability and validity

OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability and validity of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Vulvar (FACT-V). METHODS: Seventy-seven patients treated between January 1996 and January 2001 for cancer of the vulva completed the FACT-V, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status Rating (ECOG-PSR) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) once, 20 consecutive patients treated between February 2001 and October 2001 completed the questionnaires twice, once before surgery and at 2 months follow-up. The FACT-V scores were compared by patients' performance status, FIGO stage, recurrence, and age, and correlated to the HADS scores. Changes in the FACT-V from baseline to 2 months follow-up were evaluated to establish FACT-V's responsiveness to change. RESULTS: The FACT-V's internal consistency was adequate (Chronbach's alpha range, 0.75 to 0.92). Patients with lower performance status, higher FIGO-stage or recurrent disease received lower FACT-V scores, indicating discriminant validity. The correlation between the FACT-V and the HADS were in the expected direction, indicating convergent and divergent validity. From pre- to post-surgery, scores in nine out of fifteen items of the vulvar cancer-specific subscale improved, while those of five items declined, indicating sensitivity of the vulvar cancer specific items to changes in patients' well-being. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed FACT-V provides a reliable and valid assessment of the quality of life of women with vulvar cancer. It can be used as a short measure of quality of life within research studies, and to facilitate communication about quality of life issues in clinical practice.