Translation, adaptation, and validation of a questionnaire: The methodological process exemplified by the Croatian version of the ReproKnow questionnaire

Autori:

Lucija Šimunić, Marko Barešić, Robert Marčec, Branimir Anić

Sažetak
Uvod: Upitnici su ključan metodološki alat u istraživačkom i svakodnevnom kliničkom radu. Kada se upitnik koristi u novom jezičnom i kulturnom okruženju, nije dovoljan samo lingvistički prijevod, već je nužno provesti i njegovu prilagodbu te validaciju. Cilj ovog rada bio je prikazati općeniti metodološki postupak prijevoda, prilagodbe i validacije upitnika te navedeno ilustrirati na primjeru hrvatske inačice upitnika ReproKnow, razvijenog za procjenu znanja žena oboljelih od sustavnih autoimunosnih bolesti o reproduktivnom zdravlju. Ispitanici i metode: Istraživanje je provedeno na Zavodu za kliničku imunologiju i reumatologiju KBC-a Zagreb u razdoblju od kolovoza 2023. do lipnja 2025. Uz autore zadužene za prijevod i prilagodbu, u procjenu valjanosti upitnika bilo je uključeno trideset liječnika, deset medicinskih sestara/tehničara i deset pacijentica, dok je procjena unutarnje konzistentnosti provedena na rezultatima upitnika sto pacijentica. Rezultati: Indeks sadržajne valjanosti stavki (I-CVI) bio je visok (0,90–1,00), s ukupnim skalnim indeksom (S-CVI) od 0,98, dok je univerzalna suglasnost (S-CVI/UA) iznosila 0,80. Jasnoća stavki također je ocijenjena vrlo visoko (2,6–3,0 na ljestvici od 1 do 3). Usporedba izvorne inačice s onom dobivenom povratnim prijevodom pokazala je prihvatljive vrijednosti sličnosti jezične forme (1,67–2,40; ref. <3) i interpretacije (1,40–2,23; ref. <3) za sve stavke. Konstruktna valjanost upitnika potvrđena je razlikama u razini znanja između pacijentica i zdravstvenih djelatnika (H(2)=14,376; p<0,001). Vrijednost Cronbachove α u našem istraživanju iznosila je 0,61, što je, iako relativno nisko, usporedivo s rezultatima iz izvorne validacije instrumenta te prihvatljivo u kontekstu ograničenog broja stavki i njihove raznolikosti. Zaključak: Hrvatska inačica upitnika ReproKnow, nakon provedenog procesa prijevoda i kulturne prilagodbe, pokazala se valjanim i jasno razumljivim instrumentom za procjenu znanja o reproduktivnom zdravlju među ciljnim skupinama u hrvatskom kontekstu te je primjenjiva kako u istraživačkom, tako i u svakodnevnom kliničkom radu.
Summary

Introduction: Questionnaires represent an important methodological tool in research and clinical practice. When using a questionnaire in a new linguistic and cultural context, in addition to linguistic translation, it is necessary to conduct its adaptation and validation. The aim of this study was to present the general methodological process of translation, adaptation, and validation of a questionnaire, which was then illustrated through the example of the Croatian version of the ReproKnow questionnaire, developed to assess the reproductive health knowledge of women with systemic autoimmune diseases. Participants and Methods: The study was conducted at the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, from August 2023 to June 2025. In addition to the authors responsible for translation and adaptation, 30 physicians, 10 nurses/technicians, and 10 patients participated in validation of the questionnaire, while internal consistency was assessed on the responses of 100 patients. Results: The item content validity index (I-CVI) was high (0.90–1.00), with a scalelevel content validity index (S-CVI) of 0.98, and universal agreement (S-CVI/UA) of 0.80. Item clarity was also rated very highly (2.6–3.0 on a 1–3 scale). Comparison of the original and back-translated versions showed acceptable comparability of language (1.67–2.40; ref. <3) and similarity of interpretation (1.40–2.23; ref. <3) for all items. Construct validity was confirmed by differences in knowledge levels between patients and healthcare professionals (H(2)=14.376; p<0.001). The Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.61, which, although relatively low, is comparable to the one from the original validation and acceptable given the limited number and heterogeneity of items. Conclusion: Following translation and cultural adaptation, the Croatian version of the ReproKnow questionnaire proved to be a valid and clearly understandable instrument for assessing reproductive health knowledge
among target groups in the Croatian context, applicable in both research and daily clinical practice.

Volumen: 11-12, 2025

Liječ Vjesn 2025;147:400–407

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