Validity and reliability of the Bangla version of WHOQOL-BREF on an adolescent population in Bangladesh

The objectives of this study were to develop a Bangla version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), and assess its reliability and validity on an adolescent population in Bangladesh. In total, 187 boys (mean age 14.6 years +/- SD 2.1) and 137 girls (15.2 +/- SD 2.0) from residential areas, and 157 boys (13.8 +/- SD 2.1) and 121 girls (13.4 +/- SD 2.1) from slums in Dhaka were interviewed using a questionnaire, which included a Bangla translation of the WHOQOL-BREF. Thirty-eight randomly selected adolescents from the original interviewed group were re-administered the same questionnaire 1 week later. On the whole, the Bangla version of WHOQOL-BREF showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. In comparisons between residential and slum areas, discriminant validities were observed in the total and environmental domain of both genders and in the social relationship domain of males. Furthermore, discriminant validities of physical and psychological domains were observed in gender comparisons. These results suggest that the Bangla version of WHOQOL-BREF is valid and reliable in assessing the quality of life of adolescents in Bangladesh.