Psychometric Validation of Nepali Version of Supportive Care Needs Survey Short-Form (SCNS-SF-34 -N) Among Nepali Cervical Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Supportive Care Needs Survey Short Form (SCNS-SF-34) is commonly used tool for the assessment of supportive care needs among cancer patients. Cervical cancer is common cancer among women in Nepal and they are suffering from various types of problems compared with other cancer patients. It is necessary to assess the validity and reliability of the questionnaire after translating it in another language and going to be used. The study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of SCNS-SF-34 Nepali version among Nepali cervix cancer patients.

Methods: 334 participants were recruited purposively from 5 cancers hospital. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structure validity, internal consistency convergent validity, and discriminant validity were calculated and confirmed.

Results: Using EFA, a five-factor structure was developed considering higher loading factor for multiple loaded items which was similar with the dimensions of the original version of the SCNS-SF34 accounting for 65.48% of the total variance. CFA confirmed that the construct validity of SCNS-SF 34N was found at acceptable level. Cronbach's alpha coefficients was found from 0.789 to 0.929 for all five domains and 0.887 for the whole scale. Independent 't' test between known subgroups on age, marital status, stage of disease and treatment modalities confirmed discriminant validity.

Conclusion: It was confirmed that the SCNS-SF 34 N is a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of the supportive care needs among cervix cancer patients in Nepal.