The Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (BBAT): Α systematic review of the psychometric properties of the translated versions.

Abstract

Introduction: The Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (BBAT) has gained the interest of healthcare professionals involved in breastfeeding. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the psychometrics of the translated versions of the BBAT.

Methods: The databases PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and DOAJ were used to conduct a search for articles published between 2015 and 2023. The PRISMA guidelines were followed for the conduct and reporting of the review, and the COSMIN checklist was utilized to evaluate the psychometrics of the studies that were retrieved.

Results: Of the 117 records initially identified, four studies were included. The analysis of these studies revealed that the scale is available in at least four different languages. The methodological quality of the structural validity reported by three studies was satisfactory. Only two studies provided information on test-retest reliability, while the majority of the studies demonstrated very good quality in terms of internal consistency. All studies examined the construct validity of the BBAT, and the methodological quality produced different outcomes.

Conclusions: The methodological quality of the psychometrics of the translated versions of the BBAT provided mixed results. The continuation of the validation of the scale in more languages is recommended.