Psychometric properties of the Arabic translation of the “healthy lifestyle and personal control questionnaire” in patients with diabetes

To assess the effectiveness of health promotion programs among Arabic-speaking patients, it is essential to have valid and reliable assessment tools in Arabic. The objectives of this study were: to translate the "Healthy Lifestyle and Personal Control Questionnaire (HLPCQ)" into Arabic; and to study the psychometric properties of this version in a sample of Tunisian patients with diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted among consecutive patients followed for diabetes in an Endocrinology clinic in Tunisia. The HLPCQ was translated into Arabic by two bilingual translators and back-translated by two other bilingual translators. The translated version was then administered by a medical doctor to participants via phone interviews. Statistical analyses included reliability testing using Cronbach's alpha, content validity and exploratory factor analysis. A total of 300 responses were obtained. The median age of participants was 57.5 years (IQR: 45.2-66.0). Females represented 55%. Cronbach's alpha coefficients exceeded 0.7 for almost all subscales. Exploratory factor analysis revealed nine factors explaining 65.9% of the total variance. Overall, the Arabic version of the HLPCQ has satisfactory validity and reliability indices. It could be used to assess adherence to a healthy lifestyle among Tunisian patients and in other Arab-speaking countries.