Reliability and Validity of Assamese Version of EORTC QLQ-C30 Questionnaire for Studying the Quality of Life of Cancer Patients of Assam

Abstract

Abstract: Measuring the quality of life of cancer patients in a community is very much essential for evaluating the status of rehabilitation and palliative care in that community which are important components of cancer control programme. The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a widely used quality of life measuring instrument for cancer patients. Considering the spatial variability, the reliability and validity of the instrument should be tested in context of Assam. Here an attempt has been made to test the reliability and validity of the Assamese version EORTC QLQ-C30 on oesophagus cancer patients of Assam by administrating it to 153 oesophagus cancer patients diagnoised during the study period. For testing the internal consistency and construct validity of the instrument the Cronbach’s alpha ( coefficient, multitrait/multi-item correlation matrix and factor analysis were used. The alpha Coefficient showed that almost all the multi item scales were internally consistent. All the multiple items also satisfied the convergent and discriminant validity. The factor analysis resulted in 8 different components for measuring the quality of life. The items of physical and role functioning were loaded in the same factor suggesting that both may be combined into a single factor. However, in the context of Assam, items measuring dyspnoea, diarrhea and financial difficulties may be dropped. Key words: Quality of life Construct validity Cronbach’s alpha Coefficient convergent and discriminant validity Factor analysis