Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Thai version of Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory Version 4.c

Objectives

To translate and validate the Thai Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory version 4.c (Thai SC-CII v4.c) in individuals with chronic illnesses.

Methods

A scale translation and cross-sectional validation study was conducted. The English version was translated for Thai involved nine steps: preparation, forward translation, reconciliation, back-translation, back-translation review, harmonization, cognitive debriefing, review of cognitive debriefing and finalization, and proofreading. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2022 at 16 primary care centers in southern Thailand, involving 410 participants with at least one chronic condition. Validity assessments included structural, convergent, and discriminant validity. Concurrent validity examined correlations between SC-CII v4.c with the Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale (SCSES) and self-perceived health. Internal coherence reliability was calculated using Cronbach's α coefficient, item-total correlation coefficients, and the composite reliability (CR) index.

Results

Thai SC-CII v4.c demonstrated excellent translational validity (κ = 0.99). The specified Self-Care Maintenance model fit well, with minor differences in health promoting behavior and illness-related behavior items compared to the original model. The original Self-Care Monitoring, and Self-Care Management models fit well with Thai data. Simultaneous confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a satisfactory fit of the full SC-CII v4.c. Convergent validity had partial support (average variance extracted = 0.23-0.51), and discriminant validity was established (heterotrait-monotrait ratios = 0.37-0.88). Concurrent validity was supported by positive correlations between each scale and overall SC-CII v.4c with SCSES (r = 0.25-0.65) and self-perceived health (r = 0.09-0.35). The Cronbach's α coefficient were adequate for all scales except the Self-Care Maintenance scale (Cronbach's α = 0.68), but the CR estimate improved the reliability of all three scales (ranging 0.80-0.82). All items had satisfactory item-total correlation coefficients (ranging 0.34-0.71), except the one pertaining to sleep.

Conclusions

The Thai SC-CII v4.c is valid and reliable for assessing self-care in various chronic illnesses. Further testing is recommended for patients with specific diseases.

Sex-based differences in risk of cardiovascular disease development and cardiovascular risk factors among individuals with hypertension: A cross-sectional study from primary care facilities

BACKGROUND

Over the last two decades, the understanding of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has expanded in Asian countries. Despite this progress, there have been limited investigations into sex-based differences in the development of CVD and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs).

AIM

We investigated whether males and females with hypertension had different risks of developing CVD and CVRFs.

METHODS

We used a stratified multi-stage sampling design involving 15 primary care centers in Thailand. We recruited 1,448 individuals aged 35-74 years old. The Framingham cardiovascular risk algorithm was used to determine the risk of CVD development.

RESULTS

Female patients were overall more likely to have lower CVD risk scores. However, they demonstrated higher scores in the moderate-risk (p < 0.001) and high-risk (p < 0.001) groups as compared with males. One in four females was at a high risk of developing CVD. Females had higher rates of all CVRFs against males across sub-risk groups, with the highest odds ratio observed in the high-risk group, which persisted after adjusting for covariations. Overall, female patients had higher rates of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and abdominal obesity as compared with males. Females in the overall group had a lower prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension than males, in contrast to the high-risk group. Female patients also had a lower prevalence of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption than males.

CONCLUSION

There is evidence of sex-based differences in the risk of CVD development in hypertensive individuals. The interaction of CVRFs with a high risk of developing CVD was noted in females.

Psychometric testing of the cross-culturally adapted Thai version of the Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale version 3.0 in individuals with chronic illnesses

Objective

To assess the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale version 3.0 (SCSES-v3.0) in individuals with chronic illnesses. Although originally developed and tested in a Western context, its applicability in Asian populations, including Thailand, remains inadequately explored.

Methods

Psychometric tests were guided by COSMIN principles. This included the translation of the English version into Thai based on the ISPOR framework. Nine nursing experts evaluated the content validity. Data were obtained from a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted between July and November 2022. This study included individuals with chronic conditions from 16 primary care centers in Thailand. We tested the structural validity using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and concurrent validity in relation to the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory version 4.c (SC-CII-v4.c). We tested the scale's reliability with McDonald's ω, Cronbach's α, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

The Thai SCSES-v3.0 demonstrated excellent content validity (k = 1.00). The final analysis included a total of 385 participants. The EFA with the first split-half subsample (n = 193) extracted a two-factor structure. One reflected SCSES for maintenance and monitoring behaviors and another captured SCSES for management behaviors (item 6-10). CFA with the second split-half subsample (n = 192) and the overall sample (n = 385) supported the scale's two-factor model with high factor loadings. Each dimension and the overall SCSES-v3.0 positively correlated with each scale and the overall SC-CII-v4.c. McDonald's ω and Cronbach's α (both ranged 0.91-0.94) and ICC (ranged 0.95-0.96), indicated excellent internal reliability and test-retest reliability, respectively.

Conclusions

The identification of a valid and reliable two-factor model for the Thai SCSES-v3.0 renders it a valuable tool for clinicians and investigators, facilitating the assessment of self-efficacy in self-care across diverse contexts.

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Thai version of the Enhancing Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease Social Support Inventory in individuals with chronic illnesses

Objectives

This study aimed to translate and psychometrically test the 7-item Enhancing Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease (ENRICHD) Social Support Inventory (ESSI) scale within the Thai population.

Methods

A scale translation and cross-sectional validation study was conducted. The English version was translated for Thai involved nine steps: preparation, forward translation, reconciliation, back-translation, back-translation review, harmonization, cognitive debriefing, review of cognitive debriefing and finalization, and proofreading. Psychometrics testing used data from a cross-sectional study from July to November 2022 at 16 primary care centers in southern Thailand, involving 405 participants. Structural validity was tested with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA). Hypothesis testing validity was assessed through correlations with the Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale version 3.0 (SCSES-v3.0) and the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory version 4.c (SC-CII-v4.c). Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's α coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

The Thai ESSI demonstrated excellent content validity. EFA revealed a one-factor structure, with high factor loadings for the first six items assessing informational, emotional, and instrumental support. The last item on structural support demonstrated inadequate factor loadings, suggesting its removal. CFA confirmed a well-fit one-factor structure for the 6-item ESSI. Hypothesis testing showed positive correlations with the SCSES-v3.0 and SC-CII-v4.c scales. Cronbach's α coefficient improved from 0.88 for the 7-item to 0.91 for the 6-item ESSI. Both the 7-item and the 6-item scales exhibited excellent test-retest reliability.

Conclusions

Our study affirms the strong validity and reliability of the ESSI in the Thai population with chronic illnesses. The ESSI is deemed appropriate for evaluating social support in the context of chronic illness self-care.

Psychometric testing of the Thai version of Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory version 2

AIM

To assess the psychometric properties of the Thai version of Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory version 2 (CC-SC-CII-v2) among primary caregivers of individuals with any single or multiple chronic illnesses.

BACKGROUND

The instrument encompasses three scales that evaluate Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care (CC-SC) Maintenance, Monitoring and Management.

METHODS

The English version CC-SC-CII-v2 was translated and adapted for Thai context, and a cross-sectional multicenter study involved 430 caregivers from 16 primary care centres in Thailand. Structural validity, internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability were examined.

RESULTS

The original two-factor CC-SC Maintenance scale required a re-specified model for good fit, while the CC-SC Monitoring and CC-SC Management scales fit well. The simultaneous model of three scales demonstrated satisfactory fit. The CC-SC Maintenance and CC-SC Management scales both had a composite reliability index of 0.85, with omega coefficients of 0.86 and 0.83, respectively. CC-SC Monitoring had an alpha coefficient of 0.89. The intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.84 to 0.91, indicating good test-retest reliability.

CONCLUSION

The Thai CC-SC-CII-v2 is a valid and reliable instrument that can provide clinicians and investigators with an evaluation of the contributions of caregivers to the self-care of patients with chronic illnesses.

Evaluating the Dimensionality and Reliability of the Thai Self-Care of Hypertension Inventory Version 2.0

PURPOSE

Self-care is essential for hypertensive individuals to promote optimal health and illness treatment. We developed the Thai Self-Care of Hypertension Inventory (SC-HI) version 2.0 from the original US version using a multi-stage approach for cross-cultural adaptation. Scales previously studied outside a US context had different dimensions and factor solutions. Therefore, we examined the Thai SC-HI's factorial validity, construct validity, and internal reliability within a Thai context.

METHODS

We administered a cross-sectional survey with hypertensive patients in 10 primary care settings, and conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on two sets of separate samples from each of five sites to examine the model's factorial validity and construct validity. We estimated scale reliability with Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients.

RESULTS

Participants were predominantly female, older adults, with mean age 66 years (SD = 11.94; range 36-97 years). The self-care maintenance scale had three factors and demonstrated good fit when the error covariances were respecified. The two-factor self-care management scale had different factorial solutions compared to previous models. The CFA result showed good fit indices for the Thai, original US, and Brazilian models. The self-care confidence scale was unidimensional, with partially supported fit indices that improved after we respecified the error covariances. Reliability coefficients estimated by difference methods were nearly equal: slightly lower than desired for self-care maintenance (.68-.70) and inadequate for self-care management (.62-.65); self-care confidence reliability was adequate (.89-.90).

CONCLUSION

The Thai SC-HI has good psychometric characteristics and reflects the original instrument's theoretical basis.

Exploring factors associated with hypertension self-care in primary care: The role of nurse education levels and patient-related factors

AIM

To explore the association between nurse education levels and patient-related factors with hypertension self-care.

BACKGROUND

Although self-care development is recognized as a healthcare provider-patient encounter, the attribution of nurse education level to hypertension self-care is not well addressed.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Hypertensive patients from 15 primary care facilities were sampled, and self-care was assessed using the Self-Care of Hypertension Inventory version 2.0, with standardized scores ≥70 indicating adequate self-care. Data on patient-related factors were obtained from electronic health records, self-reports and laboratory tests, while nurse education levels were categorized as standard (baccalaureate-prepared) or higher (post-baccalaureate specialty).

RESULTS

A total of 1493 participants were included in this study, with a median age of 66 years and 77.7% being female. Approximately 10% of participants had adequate self-care, and 66% received care from higher educated nurses. The study showed the relation between nurse education levels and the self-care of the patients. Adequate hypertension self-care was significantly associated with higher educated nurse providers and patient-related factors, including intermediate to higher education, non-overweight/obese and the absence of age-related comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertensive patients who had been provided care by higher educated nurses and their favourable sociodemographic, lower cardiometabolic risk and no concomitant disease were more likely to demonstrate adequate self-care.