VALIDATION OF A DIETARY INTAKE TOOL FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN DIALYSIS PATIENTS WITH LOW LITERACY

Background: This study analysed the validity and reliability of a food frequency questionnaire designed for African-American patients with low literacy. This instrument was designed specifically to meet the need for a tool that was short, easy to understand, and met clinical reliability and validity standards. Objectives: Assessing patient nutritional status and dietary intake is crucial to the care of patients in end stage kidney disease. The development of a quick and reliable nutritional assessment tool for patients with low literacy could increase nutritional counselling effectiveness and improve patient outcomes. Design: The renal food frequency questionnaire (RFF) and a standard 24-hour recall were administered to a general population of African-American patients undergoing dialysis. Registered Dieticians and statistical analyses were used to validate the content and structural validity and reliability of the RFF to adequately measure dietary intake. Participants: The study sample consisted of 30 African-American patients who received dialysis treatment at a regional teaching hospital facility. Results: The RFF was found to be a simple, easy to understand instrument with low reading complexity (grade level 4.4). Interrater reliability was found to be high (.81-1.00), and statistical analysis determined a high level of clinical validity. Conclusion: The RFF was found to be a valid dietary recall tool that is appropriate for patients with limited literacy. It was found to have acceptable reliability and validity when compared with a standard 24-hour recall and has potential for use as a dietary intake and monitoring tool in patients undergoing dialysis.