Health Beliefs Related to Salt-Restricted Diet in Patients on Hemodialysis: Psychometric Evaluation of the Turkish Version of the Beliefs About Dietary Compliance Scale

Health Beliefs Related to Salt-Restricted Diet and Associated Factors in Turkish Patients on Hemodialysis

Purpose: To examine health beliefs related to salt-restricted diet, to investigate their associations with demographic/disease-related characteristics and family support, and to determine the need for tailored interventions in Turkish patients on hemodialysis. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 patients on hemodialysis. Data were collected through an information form, the Perceived Social Support from Family Scale and the Beliefs about Dietary Compliance Scale, including two subscales: perceived benefits and barriers. Descriptive statistics, Student’s t test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and linear regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results: The item mean perceived benefit score was higher than the item mean perceived barrier score. Limiting salt intake, family support, and the presence of residual urine output were associated with health beliefs. Conclusions/Implications: The likelihood of adherence to salt-restricted diet was high. A better understanding of health beliefs about salt-restricted diet and their related factors may facilitate the implementation of tailored interventions.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Questionnaire for the Assessment of DYsphagia in MUltiple Sclerosis (DYMUS) that has been developed for evaluating dysphagia in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Methods

This methodological study was conducted in the neurology clinic and outpatient department of a training hospital between March 15 and September 15, 2015. The study included 117 patients aged 18 years and over who had a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, could communicate in Turkish, and volunteered to be included. Data were collected using a descriptive information form, the DYMUS, and the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). The scale was translated and back translated to determine the language validity, and a specialist was consulted to make sure the content was valid. We used the EAT-10 and Kurtzke's Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) concurrently to test the criterion-related validity. The test-retest procedure was used at 1-week intervals for 37 patients in this study. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, Kappa analysis, reliability analysis, and correlation analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results

Factor analysis revealed that the scale was bifactorial, and this was consistent with its original form. There were positive and statistically significant relationships between the DYMUS and EAT-10 (r=0.90, p<0.001) and the mean EDSS scores (r=0.49, p<0.001). The internal consistency of the total scale was high (Cronbach's alpha coefficient= 0.91). The Cronbach's alpha coefficients pertaining to dysphagia for solids and liquids were determined to be 0.88 and 0.83, respectively. The total scale and subscales demonstrated a high test-retest reliability (r=0.79-0.95, p<0.001).

Conclusion

In this study, the Turkish version of the DYMUS was found to be a valid and reliable tool for evaluating dysphagia in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Reliability, and Validity of the Turkish Version of the Compliance Questionnaire on Rheumatology in Patients With Behçet's Disease

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Turkish versionof the Compliance Questionnaire on Rheumatology (CQR-T) for patients with Behçet's disease (BD).

METHOD

A sample of 105 Turkish patients with BD participated in this study. The scale was cross-culturally adapted through a process including translation, comparison with versions in other languages, back translation, and pretesting. Construct validity was evaluated by factor analysis, and criterion validity was evaluated using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale.

RESULTS

The CQR-T demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .832), adequate test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .630), and correlations with Morisky Medication Adherence Scale scores (r = -.389, p< .001), indicating convergent validity.

CONCLUSION

The CQR-T was found to be a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating the compliance of Turkish BD patients with prescribed medications.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The CQR-T might be a helpful tool in two ways: for determining the level of compliance of patients with BD and for adjusting their management and follow-up based on the results.