Abstract
M.Tech.
Objective: Translation and validation of the Afrikaans version of the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and the Oswestry Disability Index.
Methods: The English questionnaires were translated into Afrikaans. The translations were then scrutinized by a focus group in order to determine its face validity. After face validity was established, the content validity was determined by two subject experts. Both the original and the translated versions of the questionnaires were given to a study group to complete on two separate occasions. The results from the study group were then put through various psychometric evaluations in order to determine its concurrent validity and reliability.
Results: Results indicated that the Oswestry Disability Index had a significant level of reliability (α=0.830) and although the reliability of the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire was below a significant level (α<0.7) it was still deemed reliable as it corresponded with its English counterpart. Both the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index indicated significant levels of concurrent validity; however the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire seemed to have a higher level of concurrent validity.
Conclusion: Both the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and the Oswestry Disability Index were translated successfully and can now be used within the Afrikaans population as an alternative to the English versions.
Low back pain is a very common medical problem with a great impact on a patient’s health and quality of life. According to a review conducted by Papageorgiou et al. (1995), 60-80% of the general world population will suffer from low back pain in some stage of their life. In South Africa, De Wet, Losco and Moodley (2003) conducted a study on the incidence and prevalence of low back pain on 355 ABSA Bank and Unibank employees. The results of the study showed that the lifetime incidence of low back pain was 63%, the 6 month prevalence of LBP was 41% and the point prevalence of LBP was 9.6%. Treatment was sought by 46.94% of the sample population primarily from pharmacies, chiropractors, medical doctors, and physiotherapists. In addition, the study also showed that this condition is costing the South African economy millions each year due to lost working days as a result of absenteeism.
As a result, disability questionnaires are increasingly used for clinical assessment, outcome measurement of treatment of low back pain. However, the use in different cultural groups has led to the need for the translation and the cross-cultural adaptation of these questionnaires to aid practitioners in the accurate assessment of low back pain.