Evaluation of the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Eurocest Neurotoxic Symptoms Questionnaire

M Firoozeh; A Kavousi; S Hassanzadeh

doi:10.18502/tkj.v12i4.5876

M Firoozeh Assistant Professor of Occupational Medicine, School of Health, Safety & Environment Shahid ‎Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
A Kavousi Associate Professor of Statistics, School of Health, Safety & Environment Shahid Beheshti ‎University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
S Hassanzadeh Ergonomics of Master, School of Health, Safety & Environment Shahid Beheshti University of ‎Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ‎

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tkj.v12i4.5876

Keywords: Organic Solvent, Euroquest Modified Questionnaire, Neurological and Psychological Effects, Validity, Reliability

Abstract

Introduction: Modified Euro Quest questionnaire to assess neurological and psychiatric effects caused by exposure to organic solvents is used. This study investigates the validity, reliability, and usability of the modified Euro Quest questionnaire in Iran.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 206 workers of color and textile industries. Modified Euro Quest questionnaire was translated into Persian by using the forward-backward translation standard method. To evaluate the content validity, convergent validity, internal consistency, and reliability of the questionnaire were used the index CVI, Pearson correlation coefficient, Cronbach's alpha, and test-retest. The convergent validity was compared, results of the questionnaire, with results of mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI).

Results: The relationship between the modified Euroquest questionnaire was compare with the MMSE test and the MFI's questionnaire, Pearson correlation coefficients, and the results showed in order - 0.86 and 0.65, which represents a significant inverse correlation between this questionnaire with MMSE test(p>0.001) And a moderate correlation with the MFI's questionnaire(p>0.001). Content validity index (CVI) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were obtained in order amounts of ≤0.79 and 0.92, which was acceptable. The final questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, was calculated (α =0.84).

Conclusion: The modified Euroquest Persian version is a valuable tool to assess the neurological and psychological effects caused by exposure to organic solvents in Iranian workers.