Translation and psychometric evaluation of the yoruba version of quadruple visual analogue scale

Abstract

Context: Wide application of the Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS) is hamstrung by dearth or lack of its translations into other languages. Aims: This study was aimed to translate and determine the psychometric properties of the Yoruba version of the QVAS (QVAS-Y). Materials and Methods: The translation process involved forward-translation, synthesis, back-translation, expert review and pre-final testing. The English QVAS and QVAS-Y were administered to 100 consenting patients with chronic low back pain to determine the validity of the new translation, while 51 of the respondents completed the QVAS-Y again after 7 days for test–retest reliability. The Oswestry Disability Index was used to test its external validity. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at P < 0.05. Results: The concurrent validity score for QVAS-Y was r = 0.896, P = 0.001, and ranges between 0.465 (lowest) and 0.856 (highest) for items 4 and 1, respectively. The QVAS-Y has moderate external validity (r = 0.341; P = 0.001) and its reliability value was 0.622 and ranges between 0.465 and 0.668 per item. The Cronbach's alpha for the QVAS-Y was 0.767 and ranges between 0.635 and 0.801 per item. Conclusion: The concurrent validity, reliability and internal consistency of the QVAS-Y are adequate to assess pain among Yoruba population.