Validation of Kiswahili Version of WHOQOLHIVBREF questionnaire among people living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundQuality of life is an important element of surveillance in people living with HIV/AIDS. WHO has developed an HIV specific quality of life tool (WHOQOLHIV-Bref) for assessing Quality of life of HIV individuals. This tool takes into account the different cultural variations that exist worldwide and hence enable assessment of the quality of life across different cultures. Despite its preliminary sound validity and reliability from several studies, the developers recommend it to be validated in different cultures to fully assess its psychometric properties before its adaptation.ObjectivesTo evaluate the validity and reliability of WHOQOLHIV-Bref questionnaire in Tanzanian culture among people living with HIV/AIDS.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 103 participants interviewed using a Kiswahili WHOQOLHIV-BREF questionnaire. Of, these participants 47 participants were enrolled to repeat an interview two weeks later. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were analyzed. Validity was assessed through analysis of translational, concurrent, convergent and discriminant validity while the model performance was assessed by Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 40.5 ± 9.702 years. Translation validity was assessed through the WHO translational protocol and was found to be good. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Kiswahili version of WHOQOL-HIV BREF were excellent: Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.89-0.90, and ICC of 0.92 p < 0.01 respectively. Concurrent valid was excellent, significant correlations were noted across all domains (correlation coefficient r > 0.3) except for physical and spiritual domains. Confirmatory factor analysis found that the six domain produced an acceptable fit to the data. The convergent and divergent validities were satisfactory.ConclusionKiswahili WHOQOLHIV-Bref was found to be reliable and valid questionnaire among Tanzanian people living with HIV/AIDS. These findings provide support for the use of this tool in assessing the quality of life in Tanzania.