DB2 TRANSLATION AND VALIDATION OF MICHIGAN DIABETES KNOWLEDGE SCALE INTO MALAYSIAN VERSION

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To translate the Michigan Diabetes Knowledge Scale (MDKT) into the Malaysian language, and to examine the psychometric properties of the Malaysian version of the MDKT among patients with type 2 diabetes, including its validity and reliability. METHODS: After obtaining permission, a standard "forward-backward" translation procedure was used to create the Malaysian version of the MDKT from the original English version. A convenience sample of 307 outpatients with type 2 diabetes was identified between May and October, 2009. All data were collected from the Penang General Hospital, Penang, Malaysia. Instruments consisted of the Malaysian version of MDKT and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Medical records were reviewed for hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels and other clinical data. Reliability was tested for internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Validity was confirmed using known group validity. RESULTS: Employing the recommended scoring method, the mean +/- SD of MDKT scores was 7.88 +/- 3.01. Good internal consistency was found, ('s alpha = 0.702), the test-retest reliability value by using Spearman's rank correlation was 0.894 (P < 0.001). For known group validity, a significant relationship between MDKT categories and HbA1c categories (x2 = 21.626; P >= 0.001) was found. CONCLUSIONS: The MDKT can be used for diabetes knowledge assessment in diabetes. The findings of this validation study indicate that the Malaysian version of the MDKT is a reliable and valid measure of medication adherence which can now be used in clinical and research practice.