Cross-cultural validation of the Bengali version KIDSCREEN-27 quality of life questionnaire

BackgroundMeasuring the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adolescents, including those with cerebral palsy (CP)(the major cause of childhood physical disability worldwide) in Bangladesh is pertinent although there is a dearth of validated instruments for assessing this concept. For application in a case-control study comparing HRQoL between adolescents with CP and peers without disability in Bangladesh (a typical low- and middle-income country)we cross-culturally translated and psychometrically tested KIDSCREEN-27.MethodsKIDSCREEN-27 was translated to Bengali using forward and backwards translation protocol and interviewer administered to adolescents with CP and their age and sex matched peers without disability. Primary caregivers were included for proxy-report. Sociodeomgraphic characterists and clinical information were extracted from the Bangladesh Cerebral Palsy Register (BCPR) and adolescent mental health was assessed using the Bengali versionStrenghts and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).Feasibility, floor and ceiling effect, internal consistency, content and construct validity of KIDSCREEN-27were tested.ResultsFeasibility, floor and ceiling effect and internal consistency of KIDSCREEN-27 was goodfor both self- and proxy-report questionnaires; nil missing scores except school environment' (11.0% to 74.7%) which correlated to rates of non-school attendance; floor and ceiling effect 10.4% except peers and socialsupport' 23.4%; Cronbach's alpha 0.67 to 0.91. Instrument validity was strong; factor analysis reflected original instrument dimensions within one to three factors and difference in known groups was observed by CP and adolescentmental health (p<0.05).ConclusionKIDSCREEN-27 successfully translated to Bengali and both the self and proxy-report questionnaires showed good psychometric properties indicating suitability for case-control assessment of HRQoL between adolescents with CP and peers without disability in Bangladesh.