Psychometric Properties of the Participation Scale among Former Buruli Ulcer Patients in Ghana and Benin
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Date
2014-11-13
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PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Abstract
Background: Buruli ulcer is a stigmatising disease treated with antibiotics and wound care, and sometimes surgical
intervention is necessary. Permanent limitations in daily activities are a common long term consequence. It is unknown to
what extent patients perceive problems in participation in social activities. The psychometric properties of the Participation
Scale used in other disabling diseases, such as leprosy, was assessed for use in former Buruli ulcer patients.
Methods: Former Buruli ulcer patients in Ghana and Benin, their relatives, and healthy community controls were
interviewed using the Participation Scale, Buruli Ulcer Functional Limitation Score, and the Explanatory Model Interview
Catalogue to measure stigma. The Participation Scale was tested for the following psychometric properties: discrimination,
floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency, inter-item correlation, item-total correlation and construct validity.
Results: In total 386 participants (143 former Buruli ulcer patients with their relatives (137) and 106 community controls)
were included in the study. The Participation Scale displayed good discrimination between former Buruli ulcer patients and
healthy community controls. No floor and ceiling effects were found. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) was 0.88. In
Ghana, mean inter-item correlation of 0.29 and item-total correlations ranging from 0.10 to 0.69 were found while in Benin,
a mean inter-item correlation of 0.28 was reported with item-total correlations ranging from 20.08 to 0.79. With respect to
construct validity, 4 out of 6 hypotheses were not rejected, though correlations between various constructs differed
between countries.
Conclusion: The results indicate the Participation Scale has acceptable psychometric properties and can be used for Buruli
ulcer patients in Ghana and Benin. Future studies can use this Participation Scale to evaluate the long term restrictions in
participation in daily social activities of former BU patients.
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An article published by PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
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Citation
PLoS Negl Trop Dis 8(11): e3254. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0003254