Validation of Arabic version of Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist ( RMBPC ).

Abstract

: Background: With the increase in population aging ; there is increase in the prevalence of dementia and this will be associated with development of behavioral and psychological symptoms which are very common and distressing to the caregivers. The most problematic symptoms associated with caregiver stress are agitation, aggression, wandering, purposeless activity, disinhibition, bing eating..etc,. Revised Memory and Behavioral Checklist RMBPC is a 24 items questionnaire used to measure the frequency of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and the degree of upset of caregivers (reaction) to these symptoms. Aim: to test validity and reliability of Arabic version of Revised Memory and behavioral problem checklist (RMBPC). Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study involving 100 caregivers of elderly patients previously diagnosed with dementia (moderate to severe) in community dwellings and all of them applied to fill out the Arabic version of RMBPC questionnaire. The questionnaire was subjected to Arabic translation and the reliability and validity were done to the test. Results: Arabic version of RMBPC is reliable by test re-test reliability. Alpha cronbach and internal consistency by item total correlation showing that there were seven questions of weak correlation. So they are deleted except question 1 and question 13 because of their clinical significance. After deletion of weak questions, the test is valid by construct validity. Construct validity was evaluated by using pearson's correlation coefficient showing that all subscales are strongly correlated with total score. Construct validity by using correlation matrix of RMBPC and other tools ; Zarit , Cornell , ADL &IADL showing that RMBPC is strongly correlated to Zarit and Cornell . Conclusion: The Arabic version of 19-items RMBPC is valid and reliable.