Psychometric evaluation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Konkani version of the Oral Health-related Early Childhood Quality of Life (OH-ECQoL) scale.

CONTEXT

The oral health-related early childhood quality of life (OH-ECQoL) tool, designed to evaluate how dental issues affect preschoolers' and their family's quality of life (QoL), has been translated and validated in many languages. However, it has not yet been adapted into the Konkani language.

AIM

Cross-cultural adaptation of OH-ECQoL tool for use in the Konkani-speaking population in the state of Goa among primary caregivers of children aged 24-71 months.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

This cross-sectional was conducted at Goa Dental College and Hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The study was divided into a forward-backward translation phase and a psychometric-testing phase of the Konkani version of OH-ECQoL (K-OH-ECQoL) scale. Two hundred and forty children aged 24-71 months were recruited and clinically examined for dental caries and their caregivers completed the K-OH-ECQoL questionnaire. Reliability was assessed in a subsample of 24 participants after a 2-week interval.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Construct, discriminant, and criterion validity were evaluated. Reliability and internal consistency were measured using the intraclass correlation (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha coefficient, respectively. Furthermore, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and cross-cultural validity were evaluated.

RESULTS

Concurrent validity showed a strong significant correlation between the global rating of oral health and total K-OH-ECQoL score. Convergent validity demonstrated a moderate positive significant correlation between the items. K-OH-ECQoL scores were significantly associated with the caries severity, indicating a good discriminant validity. Test-retest reliability was 0.86 and internal consistency was 0.873. CFA indicated an acceptable fit. Cross-cultural validity showed very good item discrimination. A moderate correlation was found between CAMBRA-123 scores and overall K-OH-ECQoL score and between CAMBRA-123 scores and child impact section.

CONCLUSIONS

The study confirmed that the K-OH-ECQoL is a valid and reliable tool with good psychometric properties for evaluating the impact of early childhood caries on the QoL of preschool children aged 24-71 months and their families.