Compliance and Comparability in a Cross-National Survey

In this paper, we analyze data from the Generations and Gender Programme (GGP) to examine whether comparability in cross-national data leads to greater scientific activity and outputs. Launched in 2000 by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the GGP is a longitudinal comparative survey of 18-79 year olds in 20 countries in Europe and beyond, run by a consortium of research institutions. It is based on a relatively decentralized management model and relies on considerable post-hoc harmonization of data. The international “core” questionnaire is either adapted to the different national contexts or partly incorporated into existing surveys. Using data from the surveys administration, we examine the quality of compliance and standardization in the GGP and whether this affects data usage. Firstly, we analyze the extent to which instruments from the core questionnaire were fielded within each of the countries in the GGP. The results show that on average across countries, 66% of instruments in the core questionnaire were captured but this varies widely from 23% to 84%. Secondly, we take administrative data from the GGP website to capture the number of times each country dataset is downloaded, and we study whether those countries with greater compliance are more likely to be used in scientific analysis. We supplement this with the number of times a country dataset is used in peer reviewed comparative publications and cited in scientific articles. The paper concludes with some reflections on the analysis of compliance and usage in assessing the interest of comparative projects.

Development of APLAR-COPCORD Core Questionnaire for Identification of Risk Factors for Non Specific Low Back Pain

Background: Non specific low back pain (NSLBP) has been identified as one of the commonest rheumatic disorders in prevalence surveys in Asia-PacificObjective: Development of a core questionnaire for identification of risk factors of NSLBP at community level.Methods: Following steps were followed: 1) item generation from literature survey, existing Nordic questionnaires and patient focus group discussions, 2) development of a preliminary APLAR-COPCORD English questionnaire, 3) translation into target language, back translation and development of a synthetic target language version, 4) adaptation of the synthetic target language version through tests of comprehensibility, content validity test-retest reliability, and 5) finalization of the English questionnaire. .Results: 45 items were generated. A preliminary English questionnaire was developed.Conclusion: The developed English questionnaire will serve as an efficient tool for identification of risk factors of NSLBP in Asia-Pacific communities.TAJ 2011; 24(2): 85-90

Validação da Versão Portuguesa do Questionário EHP-30 (The Endometriosis Health Profile-30)

<strong>Introduction:</strong> Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire-30 is currently the most used questionnaire for quality of life measurement in women with endometriosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties and to validate the Portuguese Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire-30 version.<br /><strong>Material and Methods:</strong> A sequential sample of 152 patients with endometriosis, followed in a Portugal reference center, were asked to complete a questionnaire on social and demographic features, the Portuguese version of the Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire-30 and of the Short Form Health Survey 36 Item – version 2. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, internal consistency, item-total correlation and convergent validity.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> Factorial analysis confirmed the validity of the five-dimension structure of the Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire-30 core questionnaire, which explained 83.2% of the total variance. All item-total correlations presented acceptable results and high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha ranging between 0.876 and 0.981 for the core questionnaire and between 0.863 and 0.951 for the modular questionnaire. Significant negative associations between similar scales of Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire-30 and Short Form Health Survey 36 Item – version 2 were demonstrated. Data completeness achieved was high for all dimensions. The emotional well-being scale in the core questionnaire and the infertility scale in the modular section had the highest median scores, and therefore the most negative impact on the quality of life of participating women.<br /><strong>Discussion:</strong> The test-retest reliability and responsiveness of the questionnaire should be evaluated in future studies.<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The present study demonstrates that the Portuguese version of the Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire-30 is a valid, reliable and acceptable tool for evaluating the health-related quality of life of Portuguese women with endometriosis.