Health related quality of life instrument for preschool aged children in Sri Lanka: validation study
Abstract
Background and Objectives
Health related quality of life of children encompasses the clinical status and the perception of health. The aim of the study was to adapt and validate TAPQOL health related quality of life instrument for children in the age group of 3 to 4 years in Sri Lanka.
Methods
English TAPQOL was adapted to Sinhala language using modified Delphi technique. A community based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 492 children in the age range of 3 to 4 years in Colombo district. Multistage cluster sampling method was used to select children. Mothers of children were interviewed using a structured questionnaire which included the adapted tool. Factor extraction, reliability and discriminant validity were tested in the analysis.
Results
Response rate was 94.9% (n=467). In the factor extraction, 44 items were extracted and arranged to 12 subscales. Subscales represented different dimensions of health. All subscales had less than 2% of missing values indicating high acceptability. Cronbach’s alpha was more than 0.7 in eleven subscales. High correlations were observed for test-retest reliability for responses 2 weeks apart. The instrument showed satisfactory discriminant validity with preterm born children obtaining low scores in eleven subscales compared to term born group.
Conclusions and recommendations
TAPQOL questionnaire could be used in the community setting for preschool aged children to assess health related quality of life.© 2018 Hemali Jayakody, Upul Senarath, Deepika Attygalle, published by Postgraduate Institute of Medicine University of Colombo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons License.