Validation of the Brazilian version of the WHODAS 2.0 for people affected by leprosy

Abstract

The International Classification of Functioning has an impact on the way clinical information related to functioning are thought and worked on. The use of instruments such as WHODAS 2.0 allows the practical and routine incorporation of an instrument based on the ICF in the health care of people affected by leprosy. For clinical and research purposes, measurement instruments need to be validated based on their psychometric properties. This study aimed to validate the WHODAS 2.0 for use in people affected by leprosy. The instruments used were WHODAS 2.0 version of 36 questions, World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOLbref) and Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA). Data were also collected on disability grade and eye-hand-foot score. The psychometric properties evaluated were internal consistency, convergent and divergent construct and criterion validity. Cronbach's α coefficient ranged from 0.76 to 0.91, revealing good internal consistency. The convergent validity showed a moderate correlation between the total score of WHODAS 2.0 and WHOQOL-bref (rho = −0.67; p < 0.05) and strong correlation between WHODAS 2.0 and SALSA (rho = 0.72; p < 0.05). For related domains, the correlation was moderate to strong. An exception was the weak correlation with the Interpersonal Relations domain. The divergent validity showed weak correlations. The criterion validity showed a significant result between WHODAS 2.0 and disability grade (p = 0.01). The correlation between WHODAS 2.0 and eye-hand-foot score showed a weak but significant correlation

Profile of functionality of persons affected by leprosy

“…Este estudo contribuiu para o diagnóstico situacional da funcionalidade de pessoas afetadas pela hanseníase. O uso de instrumentos como o WHODAS 2.0 possibilita a incorporação prática e rotineira de um instrumento baseado na CIF na atenção à saúde de pessoas afetadas pela hanseníase (10) . Estas informações podem auxiliar a compreensão do impacto da doença e, assim, contribuir para a disciplina e o planejamento do processo de trabalho de enfermeiros e outros profissionais de saúde na assistência às populações afetadas.…”