Linguistic Validation and Translation of Work Environment Impact Scale (Version-2) for Stroke Survivors in Bangladesh

Abstract

Stroke is one of the major causes of disability throughout the world in every year. Following stroke a person’s work ability is significantly affected. A sound assessment tool can help the stroke survivors to identify the environmental factors that affect their work in their work place. The Work Environment Impact Scale (WEIS) is an assessment that focuses on the fit between a person and his or her work environment. It is based on Kielhofner’s Model of Human Occupation and designed to gather information on how clients experience their work environment. To develop the Bengali version of Work Environment Impact Scale without changing the meaning of original scale(English version), to explore whether the patients easily understand the questions or face any difficulties and to seek opinion from the patient about the questionnaire This study was conducted by using qualitative content analysis approach of qualitative method. Purposive sampling was used for selecting Participants. Data was collected by using face to face interview with a semi-structured question. Data was analyzed by using content analysis. After analyzing data, it was found that, the linguistic translation process led to conceptually equivalent Bengali version of the Work Environment Impact Scale. The comparison between the first backward translation in Bengali and the original English version identified some words and sentences requiring re-translation. The expert panel helps to identify and resolve the items. The findings provide evidence that the Swedish version of the WEIS is a psychometrically sound assessment across diagnoses and occupations, which can provide valuable information about experiences of work environment challenges. Work Environment, Environmental impact, Linguistic validation, Work Environment Impact Scale,Stroke.