Improving Health-Related Quality of Life Instrument Translation into South African Languages - marsh 2021

Most health related quality of life assessments were established in English, affecting their reliability and validity in non-English speaking groups. This study evaluated health related quality of life measures translated into South African languages for cost-utility assessments. Sabinet's African Journals database and developer websites were searched. Included were only cost-utility assessments appropriate health related quality of life instruments. Included articles reported at least one translation method. Translation approach was evaluated using best practices. Twelve translated publications are used in South Africa. None of the instruments utilized were originally from South Africa. More instrument developers' translations were used than researchers'. Almost all developer versions met translation standards. No investigator-translated instrument satisfied full translation standards because forward and back translation suggestions weren't followed. Lack of methodological details hindered this analysis. Developers' translations more often followed recommended methods than investigators'. EQ-5D-3L may be ideal for South African economic evaluations and clinical practice, but further work is needed.

Marsh SE, Truter I. Improving health-related quality of life instrument translation into South African languages. S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2021 Nov 8;63(1):e1-e11. doi: 10.4102/safp.v63i1.5361. PMID: 34797093; PMCID: PMC8603070.