Adapting the FIGO Nutrition Checklist for Malaysia: Translation, Validation, and Evaluation of the M-FIGO Nutrition Checklist and M-FIGO Module

Aim and background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent pregnancy complication, with current unstructured management initiatives showing limited effectiveness, exacerbated by constrained consultation time and inadequate communication between healthcare practitioners and pregnant women.The FIGO Nutrition Checklist, designed to identify nutritional deficiencies and guide interventions, holds potential for preventing excessive gestational weight gain in GDM.Translating and validating this tool for Malaysia is crucial, given the country's unique dietary habits, including high carbohydrate consumption from staples like white rice and noodles, which present specific challenges for managing GDM.This study aimed to translate the FIGO Nutrition Checklist into Bahasa Malaysia, validate the translated M-FIGO Nutrition Checklist, and assess its reliability.Additionally, a supplementary module, the M-FIGO Module, was introduced to address region-specific dietary concerns related to managing GDM.Methods: A four-step forward and backward translation method was utilized, along with content validation, face validity assessment, reliability testing, and evaluation using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) for the newly developed supplementary module.Results: The translated M-FIGO Nutrition Checklist achieved an item-level content validity index (I-CVI) of 0.98 and an item-level face validity index (I-FVI) of 0.98, indicating that its items were clear and comprehensible.The checklist recorded a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.76 from 30 respondents, demonstrating acceptable internal consistency and reliability.The PEMAT assessment of the M-FIGO Module yielded a score of 94%, suggesting its effectiveness.Conclusion: The high levels of I-CVI, I-FVI, and PEMAT scores support the use of the M-FIGO Nutrition Checklist and its supplementary module (M-FIGO Module) as a valid and reliable tool.Clinical Significance: This adaptation is aimed at improving maternal nutrition care and holds potential for integration into standard care protocols within Malaysian maternal healthcare facilities.