Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Arabic Version of the “Readiness to Alter Sun-Protective Behaviour” Questionnaire

Yazeed A AlrodimanNasser M AbuDujainAlhanoof AlajlanKhalid A AlekrishRohan BorschmannAbdullah AleisaKhalid M AlghamdiCollege of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaUniversity Family Medicine Center, King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Dermatology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaHealth Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UKBetter Health & Care Hub, King’s College London, London, UKDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKMelbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, AustraliaVitiligo Research Chair, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Khalid M Alghamdi, Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 240997, Riyadh, 11322, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: Ultraviolet radiation exposure is a major risk factor for skin cancer development, and sun protection remains the primary prevention strategy. The Readiness to Alter Sun-Protective Behaviour (RASP-B) questionnaire was developed to assess individuals’ readiness to engage in sun-protective behaviours. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate an Arabic version of the RASP-B for use in Arabic-speaking populations.Patients and Methods: Three independent translators conducted forward translation of the questionnaire into Arabic, followed by back translation by three additional translators. A consensus version was developed after review by the study team, pilot-tested for clarity and acceptability, and shared with the original instrument developer. Participants completed demographic items, the Arabic RASP-B, and the Sun Exposure and Behaviour Inventory (SEBI). Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and convergent validity.Results: A total of 152 Arabic-speaking participants were enrolled from dermatology clinics at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Most participants were Saudi nationals (97.4%), and 54.6% were female. The Arabic RASP-B showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.81) and test-retest reliability (overall ICC = 0.84; item-level ICC = 0.72– 0.86). The data were suitable for factor analysis (KMO = 0.78; Bartlett’s test: χ 2 = 620, p < 0.001). Exploratory factor analysis identified a three-factor structure corresponding to precontemplation, contemplation, and action stages. RASP-B scores correlated significantly with SEBI behaviours, including shade-seeking (ρ = 0.32), wearing long sleeves (ρ = 0.35), sunscreen use frequency (ρ = 0.26), and intentional tanning (ρ = − 0.31; p < 0.05).Conclusion: The Arabic RASP-B demonstrated promising preliminary reliability and validity in a single-center dermatology clinic sample. Further multicenter validation, including confirmatory factor analysis, is needed before broader clinical implementation.Keywords:sun-protection, RASP-B, psychometrics, adaptation, readiness, Arabic