Validation of a Yoruba version of the arthritis self-efficacy scale

BACKGROUND: The Arthritis Self Efficacy Scale (ASES) measures a patient's perceived efficacy to cope with the consequences of chronic arthritis. The aim of this, study was to translate ASES in to Yoruba, one of the indigenous Nigerian languages, and to investigate the validity and reliability of the translated version. METHODS: Forty one (21 males; 20 females).patients diagnosed with arthritis participated in this cross sectional survey, although only thirty seven (87.8%) were available for the reliability study. The ASES was translated to Yoruba language using forward-backward translations. Participants completed both English and Yoruba version of ASES on the first day while the second administration of the two versions of ASES was.. completed at one week after the first administrations. Data was analyzed -using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation and intra-class correlation (at p=0.05). RESULTS: There was a significant direct correlation (p<0.0001) between the scores obtained on the English and Yoruba versions (r=0.933). Also there was a significant direct correlation (p<0.0001) between the scores obtained on the first and second administrations of the English and Yoruba version of the ASES. CONCLUSION: The Yoruba version of the ASES is a valid and reliable outcome measure for health outcomes assessment in Yoruba-speaking populations.