Arabic-speaking Populations Research Articles

Development and validation of a shortened version of the Child Abuse Self Report Scale (CASRS-12) in the Arabic language.

All available scales to screen for child abuse may be challenging to administer due to their length. Indeed, a higher number of items is associated with more administration time and less motivation to engage in responding. We aimed through this study to examine the psychometric properties of a brief Arabic version of the Child Abuse Self Report Scale (CASRS-12) in terms of factorial structure, internal consistency, divergent validity, and correlations with measures of bullying victimization, eating attitudes and perceived social support. We performed a cross-sectional, web-based study among Community Lebanese adolescents; where two samples have been used (Sample 1: N = 852, aged 15.34 ± 1.18years, 54.8% females; Sample 2: N = 404, aged 16.60 ± 1.51years, 57.2% females). The construct validity was tested using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Results revealed that both EFA and CFA yielded a four-factor structure for the CASRS-12 that mirrors the original four factors captured by the original CASRS. The scale also showed a good internal consistency as evidenced through McDonald's ω values ranging from 0.87 to 0.93 for the four subscales; and configural, metric, and scalar invariance across gender. Finally, we found that all CASRS-12 dimensions were significantly and positively correlated with more inappropriate eating attitudes and lower social support; and that psychological, physical, and sexual abuse correlated with higher bullying victimization CONCLUSION: In light of these findings, we potentiallyencourage clinicians and researchers to use thisscaleas a valid and reliable measure of child abuse among Arabic-speaking populations.

Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Arabic Version.

Handedness is one of the most studied behavioural predictors of cerebral lateralization. Assessing handedness is often essential in neuropsychology and motor behaviour research. Thus, it is important that self-reported assessment tools for determining handedness are available in multiple languages for different cultures. The purpose of the present study was to conduct a translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire into the Arabic language and to assess its psychometric properties. Two independent forward translations were performed by two native Arabic speakers and then synthesized into one version. The synthesized version was backtranslated into English by two independent bilingual translators. An expert committee was formed to review the translation and adaptation process. A final Arabic version of the WHQ was obtained, the WHQ-Ar. Two hundred and ninety adult Arabic speakers were recruited to participate in the study and investigate the properties of the WHQ-Ar. Results showed that the WHQ-Ar had no floor or ceiling effect. For construct validity, results of factor analysis revealed that the WHQ-Ar had two dimensions. Further, the WHQ-Ar had excellent internal consistency with Cronbach′s alpha = 0.93. For test-retest reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient score was 0.94. The Bland-Altman plot showed acceptable agreement between test and retest scores. Therefore, the WHQ-Ar is a valid, reliable tool and ready for use among the Arabic-speaking population for determining handedness.

Validation of an Arabic version of the Cambridge-Hopkins diagnostic questionnaire for restless legs syndrome.

To validate an Arabic version of the short form of the Cambridge-Hopkins diagnostic questionnaire for restless legs syndrome (CH-RLSq13). The Arabic version was created using a standard forward-backward translation method. A pre-final Arabic version was administered with the original English version to a group of bilingual subjects as a pretest. The inter-rater agreement between these two versions was measured. A finalized Arabic version was obtained. For the validation, the Arabic version of the CH-RLSq13 was administered to Lebanese subjects, above 18years old, selected upon a clinical interview. The diagnosis provided by the Arabic version of the CH-RLSq13 was compared to the clinical diagnosis made by a neurologist at Hotel-Dieu de France hospital. Inter-rater agreement was assessed using Cohen's kappa coefficient. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the translated questionnaire were calculated. Inter-rater agreement, between the 2 versions, for the entire questionnaire, was excellent (κ = 0.950). All items showed a substantial level of agreement between the two versions. In the validation process, 91 participants were included (17 patients diagnosed with RLS and 74 control subjects). The mean age was 40years, with female predominance. The final Arabic version of the CH-RLSq13 had a sensitivity of 71%, a specificity of 100%, and with negative and positive predictive values of 94% and 100% respectively. The Arabic version of the CH-RLSq13 is a reliable tool for the screening and diagnosis of RLS in Lebanese and Arabic-speaking populations.

Validation of translated Obstetric Quality of Recovery (ObsQoR-10A) score after nonelective cesarean delivery (CD) in an Arabic-speaking population.

The ObsQoR-11 is a validated scale that assesses recovery after cesarean delivery (CD). This observational study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of its Arabic version. The original ObsQoR-11 was translated into an Arabic version (ObsQoR-10A). All participants completed the ObsQoR-10A at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively after CD. Validity, reliability, responsiveness, and feasibility were assessed. The ObsQoR-10A correlated with Global Health Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at 24 h (R = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.56-0.80, P < 0.001) and at 48 h (R = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.54-0.78, P < 0.001) and differentiated between good and poor recovery (median scores at 24 h 88 vs. 71, P < 0.001; at 48 h 95.5 vs. 70, P < 0.001). ObsQoR-10A correlated with hospital length of stay at 24 h (R = -0.21, 95% CI: -0.40 to -0.02, P = 0.03) and at 48 h (R = -0.21, 95% CI: -0.40 to -0.03, P = 0.02); gestational age at 24 h (R = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.03-0.40, P = 0.02); change in hemoglobin at 24 h (R = -0.30, 95% CI: 0.51 to -0.10, P < 0.01); and total opioids at 48 h (R = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.62 to -0.27, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between 24 h and 48 h postoperative ObsQoR-10A scores (median difference: -18; P < 0.001 which shows responsiveness). Other key measures included a Cronbach's alpha of 0.87, split-half 0.75, and intra-class correlation >0.62 with no floor or ceiling effects. Median (IQR) completion time was 3 (3-5) and 3 (2.5-3.5) minutes at 24 h and 48 h. ObsQoR-10A is a valid, reliable, responsive, and a clinically feasible tool in an Arabic-speaking obstetric population.

Demographic and Selection Histories of Populations Across the Sahel/Savannah Belt.

The Sahel/Savannah belt harbors diverse populations with different demographic histories and different subsistence patterns. However, populations from this large African region are notably under-represented in genomic research. To investigate the population structure and adaptation history of populations from the Sahel/Savannah space, we generated dense genome-wide genotype data of 327 individuals—comprising 14 ethnolinguistic groups, including 10 previously unsampled populations. Our results highlight fine-scale population structure and complex patterns of admixture, particularly in Fulani groups and Arabic-speaking populations. Among all studied Sahelian populations, only the Rashaayda Arabic-speaking population from eastern Sudan shows a lack of gene flow from African groups, which is consistent with the short history of this population in the African continent. They are recent migrants from Saudi Arabia with evidence of strong genetic isolation during the last few generations and a strong demographic bottleneck. This population also presents a strong selection signal in a genomic region around the CNR1 gene associated with substance dependence and chronic stress. In Western Sahelian populations, signatures of selection were detected in several other genetic regions, including pathways associated with lactase persistence, immune response, and malaria resistance. Taken together, these findings refine our current knowledge of genetic diversity, population structure, migration, admixture and adaptation of human populations in the Sahel/Savannah belt and contribute to our understanding of human history and health.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Arabic Version of the Mini-BESTest among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Saudi Arabia.

Backgrounds: The Mini-BESTest is a clinical assessment of balance impairment; however, the translation and psychometric properties in the Arabic-speaking population have not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to translate into Arabic and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Mini-BESTest in Saudi community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This is a cross-sectional transcultural adaptation and validation study. A total of 144 community-dwelling older adults were enrolled (mean age = 66.2 ± 6.2 years). The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Mini-BESTest from English to Arabic was performed using standardized guidelines. Test–retest reliability was examined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with one week between test and retest. The internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Construct validity of the Mini-BESTest was assessed using balance such as Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I). Results: The Arabic version of the Mini-BESTest showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.93). The scale shows excellent test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.99, 95% CI, 0.98–0.99) and excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.93, 95% CI, 0.70–0.97), which is indicative of the measure’s stability and repeatability. Mini-BESTest total scores showed an excellent inter-rater agreement. There was a significant correlation between total score of the Mini-BESTest and BBS (r = 0.72; p < 0.001). Mini-BESTest had a moderate association with FES-I. Conclusion: The Arabic version of the Mini-BESTest is a reliable and valid test for assessing balance in older adults. More research is needed to confirm the test’s reliability and validity in a specific population, such as those with neurological problems.

Prolonged grief disorder in Arabic-speaking treatment-seeking populations: Relationship with socio-demographic aspects, loss- and trauma-related characteristics, and mental health support.

IntroductionProlonged grief disorder (PGD) has been included as a new diagnosis in the ICD-11 and is set to be included in the DSM-5-TR. To better identify vulnerable individuals, different factors associated with PGD have to be taken into account, but results regarding these factors remain equivocal. Moreover, few studies on PGD are available from Arabic-speaking populations and from different countries dealing with conflicts and wars. The objective was thus to examine PGD prevalence and associated characteristics in these populations.Materials and methodsA total of N = 1,051 bereaved participants from Arabic-speaking populations completed the PG-13 as part of a screening procedure for an online mental health intervention. Multiple linear regression was conducted to examine associated factors for PGD symptom severity, and multiple logistic regression was applied to investigate associated factors for PGD according to PG-13 diagnostic criteria.ResultsOf the participants, 18.8% (n = 198) met the PGD diagnostic criteria, at an average of about 6 years post-loss. The multiple linear regression yielded eight associated factors for PGD symptom severity (age, gender, number of losses, number of traumatic event types, relationship with the deceased, age at loss, impairment during first year post-loss, perceived social support), which explained 40.2% of the variance [F(17, N=1,033) = 40.82, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.402]. The multiple logistic regression yielded five significant associations with PGD (gender, relationship with the deceased, number of lost persons, impairment during first year post-loss, perceived social support), which explained 33.0% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in PGD according to PG-13 diagnostic criteria.DiscussionA substantial proportion of the participants met the PG-13 criteria for PGD, emphasizing that therapeutic services are indispensable in this population. The associated factors for PGD found in our Arab-speaking sample are largely consistent with those found in studies from other regions. The slightly differing numbers of associated factors between the linear and logistic regression underline that a continuous score reflects the continuum between normal and dysfunctional grieving, and therefore also a range of factors associated with PGD.

HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 allele and haplotype frequencies in Lebanese and their relatedness to neighboring and distant populations

BackgroundThis study examined the origin of present-day Lebanese using high-resolution HLA class I and class II allele and haplotype distributions. The study subjects comprised 152 unrelated individuals, and their HLA class I and class II alleles and two-locus and five-locus haplotypes were compared with those of neighboring and distant communities using genetic distances, neighbor-joining dendrograms, correspondence, and haplotype analyses. HLA class I (A, B, C) and class II (DRB1, DQB1) were genotyped at a high-resolution level by PCR-SSP.ResultsIn total, 76 alleles across the five HLA loci were detected: A*03:01 (17.1%), A*24:02 (16.5%), B*35:01 (25.7%), C*04:01 (25.3%), and C*07:01 (20.7%) were the most frequent class I alleles, while DRB1*11:01 (34.2%) and DQB1*03:01 (43.8%) were the most frequent class II alleles. All pairs of HLA loci were in significant linkage disequilibrium. The most frequent two-locus haplotypes recorded were DRB1*11:01 ~ DQB1*03:01 (30.9%), B*35:01-C*04:01 (20.7%), B*35:01 ~ DRB1*11:01 (13.8%), and A*24:02 ~ B*35:01 (10.3%). Lebanese appear to be closely related to East Mediterranean communities such as Levantines (Palestinians, Syrians, and Jordanians), Turks, Macedonians, and Albanians. However, Lebanese appear to be distinct from North African, Iberian, and Sub-Saharan communities.ConclusionsCollectively, this indicates a limited genetic contribution of Arabic-speaking populations (from North Africa or the Arabian Peninsula) and Sub-Saharan communities to the present-day Lebanese gene pool. This confirms the notion that Lebanese population are of mixed East Mediterranean and Asian origin, with a marked European component.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of self-report screening instruments for common mental disorders in Arabic-speaking adults

IntroductionSelf-report questionnaires to screen for symptoms of common mental disorders (CMDs) are commonly used as inexpensive, easy-to-administer tools in research and clinical practice. However, their validity to detect the presence of any CMD across cultures and languages is unclear. Psychometrically sound and brief case-finding instruments are vital for the identification of individuals with mental health needs. With the increasing number of Arabic-speaking refugees in Europe, we aim to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Arabic-language screening instruments.ObjectivesThe aim of this systematic review/meta-analysis is to synthesize the diagnostic accuracy of self-report questionnaires to detect depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Arabic-speaking populations.Methods Five databases were searched (inception-January 2021) (PROSPERO: CRD42018070645) for studies on the diagnostic accuracy of brief questionnaires in Arabic-speaking populations, with a clinical interview as reference standard. Data on sensitivity/specificity were extracted/calculated. Multi-threshold meta-analyses were performed (R diagmeta package). Study quality was assessed using QUADAS-2.Results We included 32 studies (N=4042 participants) reporting on questionnaires targeting depression/anxiety (14 questionnaires), distress (2 questionnaires), and PTSD (1 questionnaire). Optimal thresholds were identified for the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; cut-off 11, sensitivity 76.9%, specificity 85.1%), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) anxiety subscale (cut-off 7, sensitivity 81.9%, specificity 87.6%), depression subscale (cut-off 6, sensitivity 73.0%, specificity 88.6%), and Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20; cut-off 8, sensitivity 86.0%, specificity 83.9%).ConclusionsWe present optimal thresholds that can be used by clinicians and researchers for the EPDS, HADS and SRQ-20. More research on Arabic-language questionnaires, especially those targeting PTSD, is needed.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Validation and measurement invariance of the Arabic Health Literacy Questionnaire

Health literacy plays a key role in empowering individuals and enabling them to make health-related decisions. Despite the advances in health literacy research, there are gaps in the literature that require further inquiry, and establishing comprehensive and valid measurements is one of them. Thus, this research was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the Arabic Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), including the reliability, validity, and measurement invariances of the nine HLQ scales. A cross-sectional design was used in this study. A sample of university students (N = 1011) was recruited, the mean of age was 21.1 years old (SD = 2.28). The Arabic HLQ and a demographics questionnaire were completed by the participants. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and measurement invariances were performed for each HLQ scale. The values of Cronbach's α and composite reliability were above .70 for all HLQ scales. The CFA analyses showed that all HLQ scales meet the criteria that were set a priori: RMSEA ≤.07, CFI ≥.95, and Chisq/df < 5. In addition, all standardized factor loadings were above .50. Regarding the measurement invariance, the results supported the equal form measurement invariance for all HLQ scales. The equality of factor loadings measurement invariance across gender was also supported for all HLQ scales. Measurement invariance of factor loadings and equality of indicator intercepts was partially supported. These results show that the internal consistency, convergence, and factor structure of the HLQ are all supported. The Arabic HLQ is a reliable, valid tool to measure health literacy among Arabic-speaking populations.

Translation, adaptation and psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the numerical rating scale when used with children and adolescents

Objective The 0–10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) is widely used with Arabic-speaking pediatric populations. However, there is no data about its validity or reliability. Thus, the aims of this research were to translate the NRS-11 into Arabic and study its dimensionality and construct (convergent and discriminant) validity, and reliability. Methods A group of 190 Lebanese students between 8 and 18 years old participated. Participants were interviewed online and asked to imagine themselves in a hypothetical painful situation and rate the expected pain intensity using the NRS-11-Arabic and an Arabic version of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS-Arabic). They were also requested to respond to the pediatric Arabic version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS-Arabic). Data collection lasted for a month. Results Data showed that the NRS-11-Arabic and the VAS-Arabic scores measure the same common construct. In addition, they showed strong statistically significant correlations between NRS-11 and VAS (ranging from 0.83 for the whole sample and 0.83 and 0.84 for the 8–12-year-olds and the 13–18-year-olds, which support its construct validity). These correlations were higher than those between the NRS-11-Arabic and the PCS-Arabic, which support the discriminant validity of NRS-11-Arabic scores. Test-retest reliability was 0.86 for the whole sample, and 0.89 and 0.82 for the 8–12-year-olds and the 13–18-year-olds, respectively, which shows the reliability of the NRS-11-Arabic scores. Conclusions The data provide preliminary evidence of the unidimensionality, validity and reliability of the NRS-11-Arabic scores, thus supporting its use in clinical and research activities involving Arabic-speaking pediatric samples.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Arabic version of the DHEQ-15.

Many patients who suffer from Dentine Hypersensitivity (DH) often go undiagnosed because they do not consider DH as serious problem that requires treatment. The use of patient-reported outcome measures can help in diagnosis and management of DH problems. The aim of the present study was to adapt cross-culturally the original English version of the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ-15) for use in Arabic-speaking countries. An Arabic version of DHEQ-15 was first developed by forward-backward translation and piloted among a group of dental patients. A cross-sectional study design was then used to test the psychometric properties of the Arabic DHEQ-15 in a wider convenience sample of Libyan dental patients diagnosed with DH. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the three-dimensional distribution of the subscales. The significance level of all statistical tests was set at p≤0.05. The Arabic DHEQ-15 demonstrated good face and content validity. A total of 462 participants aged, on average, 39.2±12.9years took part in the psychometric testing of the Arabic DHEQ-15. The overall Cronbach's alpha of the questionnaire was 0.91, and overall Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for test-retest repeatability was 0.914. Participants with more severe DH had a significantly higher DHEQ-15score than those with less severe DH (p<0.001). Those who reported better global rating of their oral health had lower scores on the Arabic DHEQ-15 (p<0.001). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed three subscales of the Arabic DHEQ-15. The Arabic DHEQ-15has been developed and further testing has demonstrated acceptable levels of psychometric properties in an Arabic population. The Arabic DHEQ-15 is a reliable measure of the quality-of-life impact of DH for use with Arabic-speaking populations.

The long-term impact of neck scar satisfaction among thyroid surgery patients.

This study evaluated scar satisfaction in Arabic patients who underwent thyroidectomy surgery using validated assessment tools. We aimed to assess the relationship between scar length and scar satisfaction, and validate Arabic versions of the universally used scar satisfaction questionnaires. In this retrospective cohort study, 60 patients who underwent thyroidectomy at King Abdulaziz University Hospital were enrolled. Scars were evaluated in two stages: firstly, by a clinician, and secondly, by a naïve observer. Ratings of disfigurement were measured using the validated Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) that was translated into Arabic. Results: The Arabic version of the POSAS showed good or excellent reliability. Average POSAS scores were 12.88, 18.02, and 7.53, respectively, indicating that most patients were satisfied. Incision size and POSAS scores (but not Patient and Naïve Observer scores) were positively correlated, and larger incisions resulted in greater dissatisfaction. Fitzpatrick Skin Type score and Observer scores were positively correlated, but there were no significant correlations between Patient and Naïve Observer scores with skin type. In conclusion, this study validated the Arabic version of universally used questionnaires for scar satisfaction. Most patients were satisfied with their neck scars regardless of scar length. Our findings pave the way for further research into patient postoperative scar satisfaction in Arabic-speaking populations.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Italian Spine Youth Quality of Life (ISYQOL) questionnaire's Arabic version.

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessment is considered among the most relevant outcome measures following conservative and surgical interventions for various spinal conditions. Several questions are available to evaluate HRQOL in these conditions. A more recent Italian Spine Youth Quality of Life (ISYQOL) questionnaire was developed for this purpose and showed high validity in measuring HRQOL.To translate and adapt the ISYQOL questionnaire into Arabic language (ISYQOL-Ar) and evaluate its validity and reliability, and to correlate it with the validated revised Scoliosis Research Society (SRS-22r)'s Arabic questionnaire in a cross-sectional multicenter study.The ISYQOL was translated, back-translated, and reviewed by an expert committee. Reliability assessment for the questionnaire domains was performed using Cronbach's alpha. For construct validation, the Pearson's correlation coefficient was used.A total of 115 patients were enrolled in the study and completed the ISYQOL-Ar and Arabic SRS-22r questionnaires. A total of 72 patients (63%) completed the first set of questionnaires, and 2 weeks later, 63 patients (55%) completed both sets of questionnaires, with 15.8 a mean age, 39.5° mean Cobb angle of 88.9% females. ISYQOL-Ar showed excellent validity, good reliability, and internal consistency for spine health and brace wear, with Cronbach's alpha > 0.6, similar to SRS-22r in the same cohort. The correlation was significant between ISYQOL-Ar and Arabic SRS-22r (Pearson's coefficient = 0.708, P < .001).The ISYQOL-Ar questionnaire is a reliable and valid outcome measure for the assessment of young patients with spinal deformity among the Arabic-speaking population.

Screening for Neurodevelopmental Delay for Preterm Very Low Birth Weight Infants at Tertiary Care Center in Saudi Arabia.

BackgroundPreterm infants are more susceptible to death, short-term complications, and long-term complications such as neurodevelopmental impairments. However, definitive assessment tools are not available in a resource-limited setting. Hence a screening tool is needed the Arabic-speaking population.MethodInfants born at a gestational age of <32 weeks or a very low birth weight (VLBW) of less than 1500 g were recruited into a cross-sectional study. We identified infants (n = 61) admitted to the neonatal ICU at King Abdulaziz Medical City and reached 18 up to 24 months of corrected gestational age (CGA). The developmental assessment was done at 18, 20, 22, and 24 CGAs using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire third edition - Arabic version (ASQ3-A). The primary outcomes are early detection rate of neurodevelopmental delay (NDD), defined as a delay in one or more of the following: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social skills as per ASQ3-A.ResultsSixty-one out of 92 eligible infants (36 excluded) completed the sufficient assessment. Twenty-six infants (42.6%) had at least one NDD in one of the following domains: communication skills: (11.5%), gross motor: (11.5%), fine motor: (19.7%), problem-solving skills: twelve infants (19.7%), and personal-social skills: twenty infants (23%). Perinatal events and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) were significant independent predictors for the NDD.ConclusionThis single-center study in Saudi Arabia screened preterm, VLBW infants based on ASQ3-A, twenty infants (42.6%) had an abnormal NDD at a corrected age of 18-24 months. Perinatal events and PVL were independent predictors of NDD. We recommend that all preterm VLBW infants in Saudi Arabia be evaluated by a neurodevelopmental screening tool, ASQ3-A, especially in resource-limited settings to start early intervention. Also, more extensive multicenter studies are to be carried out with definitive diagnostic tools to have a national benchmark for the long-term neurodevelopmental impairment.

Cross cultural adaptation, validity, and reliability of Central Sensitization Inventory in Arabic language

Purpose The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is a tool that aid in identifying symptoms associated with nociplastic pain. The aim of this study is to adapt CSI to Arabic language, and to examine its psychometric properties. Methods Adaptation process followed recommended guidelines. Participants with self-reported chronic pain completed a web-based survey. The internal consistency was calculated. Test–retest reliability was examined by allowing 7–9 day gap between two rounds of measurements. Convergent validity was examined by measuring the correlation with Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), EQ-VAS, and EQ-5D-3L. Discriminant validity was examined by testing four priori hypotheses. Factor analysis with principal components extraction was conducted. Results CSI-Arabic (CSI-Ar) was successfully produced. Its internal consistency and test–retest reliability were excellent (Cronbach's α = 0.88 and ICC2,1=0.94). The standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change 95% were 3.45 and 9.57, respectively. CSI total score correlation with PCS, EQ-5D-3L, and EQ-VAS was moderate. The results lend support to the four hypothesis related to discriminant validity. Factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure of CSI-Ar. Conclusions CSI-Ar showed an internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and validity that are comparable to similar studies. The results support the use of CSI-Ar in assessing chronic pain in Arabic-speaking population. Implications for rehabilitation Central sensitization (CS) mechanisms are thought to contribute to chronic pain. Identifying the presence of CS would personalize management. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is a valid and reliable tool to aid in identifying symptoms associated with CS. The Arabic version of the CSI is valid and reliable to use in Arabic speaking patients suffering from chronic pain.

Perceived social support and self-efficacy beliefs for healthy eating and physical activity among Arabic-speaking university students: adaptation and implementation of health beliefs survey questionnaire

BackgroundFew assessment tools exist for investigating perceived social support and self-efficacy behaviors in Arabic-speaking populations. Moreover, literature on the levels of social support and self-efficacy for adopting healthy eating and engaging in regular physical activity among Arabic-speaking young adults is currently lacking. This study aimed to adapt the Health Beliefs Survey Questionnaire (HBSQ) for Arabic-speaking populations and assess perceived social support and self-efficacy for adopting healthy eating and increased physical activity among university students.MethodsIn the first stage of the study, forward and backward translation and pretesting of the social support and self-efficacy scales of the HBSQ were conducted. The adapted questionnaire was administered to female university students (n = 258), and a subsample of 195 participants retook the questionnaire after 1 month. Construct validity was assessed with confirmatory factor analysis. The internal consistency of each subscale item was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and reproducibility was tested with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots. In the second stage, the adapted questionnaire was used to assess the perceived social support and self-efficacy levels in a different sample of Arabic-speaking female university students (n = 283).ResultsBased on the results from confirmatory factor analysis, 6 items were selected for the social support scale and 19 items for the self-efficacy scale. The adapted questionnaire showed moderate to high internal reliability (Cronbach alpha coefficient = 0.681 to 0.900). The ICCs of the various subscales ranged from 0.666 to 0.997, indicating moderate to excellent reproducibility of the culturally adapted questionnaire. This was confirmed by Bland-Altman analysis. Participants in the second stage of the study reported significantly higher (P < 0.001) perceived support from family compared to friends in reducing sugar intake and increasing fiber consumption.ConclusionsThe results of the psychometric testing indicate the shortened Arabic HBSQ is a reliable tool for assessing perceived social support from family and close friends as well as for evaluating self-efficacy for choosing healthy foods and increasing physical activity among female university students.

Patient-reported outcome measures in Arabic-speaking populations: a systematic review.

This research aimed, first, to identify, summarize, and synthesize the studies reporting the development, translation, and/or psychometric evaluation of PROMs in Arabic-speaking populations and, second, to evaluate the psychometric properties and the translation process of a sample 26 PROMs. In 2019, PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS were searched for studies reporting the development, translation, or cross-cultural adaptation of patient-reported outcome measures in Arabic-speaking populations, and those including the assessment of one or more psychometric properties as PROMs (including validity, reliability, responsiveness, interpretability) in our target populations were included. The review protocol registration number is CRD42018088991. The search strategy outlined above yielded a total of 3179 titles in the three databases. Of these, 174 English language studies met the inclusion criteria. One hundred thirty-six PROMs were identified. The methodological quality and translation process of PROMs reported by at least two studies (26 PROM instruments, 63 studies) were examined. Internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity were the most frequently reported psychometric properties. Structural validity, cross-cultural validity, responsiveness, and measurement error were largely unreported. The process of developing at least two independent forward translations and back translation of the instrument into the source language were reported by 32 and 43 studies, respectively. There is a need for further investigation of measurement properties of Arabic PROMs measures before routine use can be recommended in clinical practice.

Validation of the Arabic Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire

Background/objectivesAssessment of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency requiring Home Mechanical Ventilation (HMV) requires a valid measurement tool. The Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI) questionnaire, originally developed in German, has been translated into different languages and tested in different contexts, but has so far not been in use in Arabic-speaking populations. The objective of this study is to validate the Arabic version of the SRI questionnaire in a sample of Arabic-speaking patients from Lebanon.MethodsFollowing forward/backward translations, the finalized Arabic version was administered to 149 patients (53 males–96 females, age 69.80 ± 10 years) receiving HMV. Patients were recruited from outpatient clinics and visited at home. The Arabic SRI and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were administered, in addition to questions on sociodemographics and medical history. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to explore dimensionality; internal consistency reliability of the unidimensional scale and its subscales was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. External nomological validity was examined by assessing the correlation between the SRI and SF-36 scores.ResultsThe 49-item Arabic SRI scale showed a high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach alpha for the total scale was 0.897 and ranged between 0.73 and 0.87 for all subscales). Correlations between the SF-36-Mental Health Component MHC and SF-36-Physical Health Component with SRI-Summary Scale were 0.57 and 0.66, respectively, with higher correlations observed between the SF-36 and specific sub-scales such as the Physical Functioning and the Social Functioning subscales [r = 0.81 and r = 0.74 (P < 0.01), respectively].Conclusion and recommendationsThe Arabic SRI is a reliable and valid tool for assessing HRQL in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency receiving home mechanical ventilation.

The Arabic version of the sleep hygiene index: Linguistic validation and cultural adaptation among University students in Qatar.

Sleep is necessary for maintaining adequate health and well-being. However, several behavioral and environmental factors, known as sleep hygiene, could affect sleep quality, contributing to the development of insomnia. Instruments to measure sleep hygiene such as the sleep hygiene index (SHI) have been developed, but only a few are available in the Arabic language. Therefore, this study was designed to translate and culturally adapt the SHI from English to Arabic.Methods: The SHI was translated from English to Arabic using the forward-backward translation method recommended by the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research guidelines. Nine Arabic-speaking individuals of diverse educational and cultural backgrounds reviewed the Arabic SHI. The internal consistency reliability of the items contained in the Arabic SHI was determined. The SHI was successfully translated and culturally adapted into the Arabic language. Minimal changes in the wording of some questions were required to ensure the cultural adaptability of the instrument. The Arabic version of the SHI was found to be simple, clear, and brief as reported by the participants during cognitive debriefing. The Arabic SHI has moderate internal consistency reliability with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.589. The Arabic SHI is a brief and easy-to-understand instrument for assessing sleep hygiene practices and behavior in Arabic-speaking population. Further assessment of the psychometric properties of the Arabic SHI is necessary to ensure the validity of this instrument in different populations.