Cross Cultural Adaptation, Translation, Validation and Reliability Analysis of Gujarati Version of Hypertension Quality of Life Questionnaire (MINICHAL)

Abstract

Introduction: The instruments used to measure QOL are useful methods of transforming subjective measurements into objective data that can be quantified and analyzed, and are also important for assessing the impact of health care interventions on patient’s HRQOL. The uses of a self-administered scale in a specific localize/native language would make research and the clinical management more effective. It is advised that a self-reported measure is translated and adapted to the appropriate culture before it is used with subjects whose first language is not English. A Guajarati version of Quality of Life (MINICHAL) in essential hypertension would provide Guajarati community opportunity to communicate more effectively with their therapist. The availability of a self-administered scale in their native language makes clinical management and research more effective. Methodology: In this observational study, 36 patients with essential hypertension from the Rajkot city included. MINICHAL-QOL was translated into Gujarati from English using Forward – Backward - Forward method. To ensure the face and content validity using group consensus method, each item was examined by group of 6 experts having mean experience of 8.78 years in the field of Physiotherapy. Result: The total value of intra-class correlation coefficient of test–retest reliability was 0.988. Reliability estimated by internal consistency estimated a Cronbach's alpha of 0.879. The translated Gujarati version of MINICHAL-QOL demonstrated good reliability and validity. In validity specifically face validity and content validity suggests valid tool which can be applicable in essential hypertensive patients. Conclusion: The results indicated that the Gujarati version of MINICHAL had been successfully translated from English to Gujarati. The translated Gujarati version of MINICHAL–QOL demonstrated good reliability and validity. So, it can be useful tools to measure quality of life in essential hypertensive patients specifically applicable for Gujarati population. Key words: Gujarati version, MINICHAL, Quality of Life, Reliability, Validity.