Background and purpose: The original English version of the Pain Self Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) (Asghari and Nicholas, 2001) has satisfactory psychometric properties but remains culturally sensitive causing its translation and adaptation into different languages. However, translations of the PSEQ into Nigerian languages are not readily available. The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt and determine the reliability and the validity of the Yoruba version of the PSEQ (PSEQ-Y).

Relevance: As the existence of the PSEQ and adaption in one version do not guarantee measurement equivalence across other populations. A cultural adaptation of the PSEQ into the Yoruba language will make the instrument available for use among individuals who are literate in the Yoruba language

Methods: Based on Beaton’s criteria of step-wise forward-backward translation procedure, followed by an expert panel review and pilot testing (Beaton et al, 1993); the PSEQ-E was translated and culturally adapted into the Yoruba language. One hundred and thirty-one patients with Low-Back Pain (LBP) took part in the validity testing, while reliability testing involved 83 patients with LBP and fluent in Yoruba language. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the PSEQ-Y were determined.

Analysis: Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 and presented as means and percentages. The test-retest reliability of the PSEQ-Y was determined using the Intra-Class Correlation (ICC). Cronbach alpha was used to test for the internal consistency of the PSEQ-Y. The concurrent validity of the PSEQ-Y was determined by correlating the PSEQ-Y scores with the visual analogue scale score. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 52.96 ±17.3 years. The values for the cross-sectional construct validity of the PSEQ-Y were 0.806 α and 0.810 ICC with the 95% CI ranges 0.991-0.995. The reliability of the PSEQ-Y yielded α of 0.606 and ICC 0.799 with the 95% CI range of 0.513-0.763. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient for the concurrent validity of the PSEQ-Y using visual analogue scale was r = -0.392; p = 0.700.

Conclusion: The PSEQ-Y showed acceptable psychometric properties similar to existing versions.

Implication: The cultural adaptation of the PSEQ-Y has added to the body of literature regarding the existing versions and psychometrics of the PSEQ. PSEQ-Y can be used amongst Yoruba patients with LBP.

Funding Source: No funding was received for this study.

Ethics approval: The Health Research and Ethics Committee of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria granted ethical approval for the study.

Keywords: Pain self-efficacy, Yoruba language, cultural adaptation, low back pain

References

Asghari A, Nicholas MK. Pain self-efficacy beliefs and pain behaviour, a prospective study. Pain 2001; 94:85-100.

Beaton, D.E., Bombardier, C., Guilleman, F., & Ferraz, M.B. 2000. Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report Measures. Spine, 25: 3156-3191.