Translation and cultural adaptation of iSupport in Brazil

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundMost people with dementia are living in low‐ and middle‐income countries and are being cared for at home by their families. This task can negatively affect the mental and physical health of carers. However, public health initiatives to support family carers are still scarce. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the iSupport programme from World Health Organization for use by carers of people with dementia in Brazil.MethodsThe translation of the programme from English to Brazilian Portuguese was conducted by a professional translator. The translated content was discussed and checked for relevance, clarity and accuracy by a multidisciplinary team of researchers in Brazil. Next, 16 focus groups (n=48) were conducted with family carers of people with dementia and health and social care professionals in Sao Carlos‐SP, Brasilia‐DF and Sao Lourenco‐MG. Discussions were aimed at exploring whether the content of the translated version of iSupport was both clear and relevant to the needs of carers of people with dementia in Brazil. Representatives of the Brazilian Ministry of Health and Alzheimer’s Associations also contributed to this assessment.ResultsOverall, all participants had positive views of the iSupport material. In addition to researchers and translators, carers and professionals helped refine the text to make it clearer and more tuned to the Brazilian context. In general, participants found the material clearly written and culturally relevant. A few changes were suggested with regards to terminology and examples given in the modules to better fit the Brazilian culture and health systems, and links to relevant web pages of the Brazilian Alzheimer Association were included. Although further information could be added, the existing material was seen as sufficient.ConclusionThe translation and cultural adaptation of iSupport included inputs from four categories of participants and showed that the programme was considered easy to understand and culturally relevant for carers of people with dementia in Brazil. The next step will be to pilot the translated and culturally adapted programme with carers in Brazil to establish its efficacy and usability.