Linguistic and Content Validation of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) 3.0 in Three Languages

@#Introduction: A stroke can have devastating consequences and may reduce the Quality of Life (QoL) of stroke survivors. Specific QoL measurement is therefore needed to appreciate and quantify the impact of this condition. The objective of the study is to culturally adapt, translate and validate the Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin and Tamil versions of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) 3.0 for its application in clinical practice and stroke research in Malaysia. Methods: A total of nine translators translated the SIS 3.0 and five professional experts carried out the linguistic validation of the SIS 3.0 in accordance with the Mapi Research Institute’s linguistic validation guideline. The steps for linguistic validation included forward translation, synthesis, backward translation, clinicians’ review, and cognitive debriefing. Ten to thirteen healthcare practitioners rated the translated versions of SIS 3.0 using the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR). Results: During the translation processes, concerns were expressed about various grammatical and semantic issues, such as the appropriateness of some phrases used for the Malaysian demographic. The Scale-CVI average was 0.91 and 0.95 for relevance and clarity respectively which indicated excellent content validity. The CVR values ranged from 0.40 to 1.00. Conclusion: The Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin and Tamil versions of SIS 3.0 was well developed. The translated versions of SIS 3.0 could be adopted in clinical, community and educational settings. Nevertheless, further in-depth psychometric testing including construct validity and reliability on a larger sample among the multi-ethic Malaysians stroke survivors is advised.

The role of social network, social support, religiosity and depression among elderly Malaysians who had experienced major life events

@#Background: Research has found that social network, social support and religiosity are associated with depression in elderly people. However, these predictors of depression have not been fully explored among the high risk elderly population. This study aims to examine the prevalence and factors associated with depression among Malaysian elderly subjects who had experienced major life events. Methods: This is a cross-section study of a subsample of 594 participants from the original sample of 2322 Malaysian elderly respondents, who had experienced major life events. Information on socio-demographic, social network, social support, religiosity and depression were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with depression among elderly who experienced major life events. Results: Overall prevalence of depression among subsample of Malaysian elderly facing major life events was 9.4%. The results showed that age (p≤0.01), income (p≤0.001) and social network (p≤0.05) were significant associated with depression. In other words, with increasing age, low income as well as small social network associated with high risk of developing depression among elderly who had experienced major life events Conclusion: Other than age and income, social network were also associated with depression among elderly respondents who had experienced major life events. Therefore, professionals who are working with elderly with major life events should seek ways to enhance elderly networking as one of the strategies to prevent depression.

Exploration the Supportive Needs and Coping Behaviors of Daughter and Daughter in-Law Caregivers of Stroke Survivors, Shiraz-Iran: A Qualitative Content Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The period of hospital stay and the first month after discharge have been found to be the most problematic stages for family caregivers of stroke survivors. It is just at home that patients and caregivers actually understand the whole consequences of the stroke. The adult offspring often have more different needs and concerns than spousal caregivers. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the needs of this particular group of caregivers. Therefore, this qualitative content analysis study aimed to explore the supportive needs and coping behaviors of daughter and daughter in-law caregivers (DILs) of stroke survivors one month after the patient's discharge from the hospital in Shiraz, Southern of Iran. METHODS: This is a qualitative content analysis study using semi-structured and in-depth interviews with a purposive sampling of seventeen daughter and daughter in-law caregivers. RESULTS: The data revealed seven major themes including information and training, financial support, home health care assistance need, self-care support need, adjusting with the cultural obligation in providing care for a parent in-law, and need for improving quality of hospital care. Also, data from the interview showed that daughter and daughter in-law caregivers mostly used emotional-oriented coping strategies, specially religiosity, to cope with their needs and problems in their care-giving role. CONCLUSION: The results of this qualitative study revealed that family caregivers have several unmet needs in their care-giving role. By providing individualized information and support, we can prepare these family caregivers to better cope with the home care needs of stroke survivors and regain control over aspects of life.

Perceived health status and daily activity participation of older Malaysians.

This article investigates the influence of perceived health status on the daily activity participation of older Malaysians. Data from the Survey on Perceptions of Needs and Problems of the Elderly, which was conducted in 1999, were used. The negative binomial regression results show that older persons with good perceived health status reported more varieties of daily activity participation, especially among the uneducated and those with below-average self-esteem. The multinomial logistic regression model suggests that older persons with good perceived health status tended to engage daily in paid work only or with leisure activities, whereas those perceived to have poor health were more likely to engage in leisure activities only or leisure and family role activities. Promotion of a healthy lifestyle at a younger age encourages every person to monitor and take responsibility for their own health, which is a necessary strategy to ensure active participation at an older age, and thus improve their well-being.