Translation, cultural adaptation, and psychometric validation of the Female Sexual Function Index to Lebanese Arabic (FSFI-LB).

BACKGROUND

The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is widely used to assess female sexual function, but its applicability in Lebanon is limited due to linguistic and cultural barriers.

AIM

This study aimed to develop and validate a Lebanese Arabic version of the FSFI (FSFI-LB) to improve accessibility for clinical and research use.

METHODS

A study was conducted with 119 Lebanese women between April 2023 and June 2024 at Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut. The FSFI was translated, back-translated, and psychometrically validated using exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, test-retest reliability, and factor correlations.

OUTCOMES

The FSFI-LB showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.973) and test-retest reliability ( = 0.9997), with a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value of 0.925 and significant Bartlett's test of sphericity ( < .001). Test-retest reliability was assessed in a subsample of 42 participants after 4 weeks and demonstrated high consistency across all domains ( > 0.99) and total scale reliability ( = 0.9997).

RESULTS

A six-factor model was retained for the FSFI-LB, aligning with the original FSFI, with the pain domain showing the weakest correlations with other domains. The questionnaire included English translations alongside Arabic terms for improved comprehension.

CLINICAL TRANSLATION

The FSFI-LB is a reliable tool for assessing female sexual function in Lebanon, ensuring cultural and linguistic sensitivity for diverse populations.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

The study's strengths include robust psychometric validation and the adaptation of a widely used instrument. The limitations include the focus on a specific Lebanese population, which may limit generalizability to other Arabic-speaking communities.

CONCLUSION

The FSFI-LB is a valid and reliable tool for assessing female sexual function, contributing to the development of culturally appropriate measures in sexual health research and clinical practice.