The eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale MMAS: translation and validation of the Malaysian version.
OBJECTIVE
To translate and examine the psychometric properties of the Malaysian version of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) among patients with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
A standard "forward-backward" procedure was used to translate MMAS into Malay language. It was later validated on a convenience sample of 223 type 2 diabetes outpatients between May and September 2009. Reliability was tested for internal consistency. Validity was confirmed using convergent and known group validity.


RESULTS
Employing the recommended scoring method, the mean±SD of MMAS scores was 6.13±1.72. Moderate internal consistency was found (Cronbach's α=0.675), the test-retest reliability value was 0.816 (p<0.001). A positive correlation between the eight- and four-item MMAS was found (r=0.792; p<0.01). A significant relationship between MMAS categories and HbA1c categories (χ(2)=20.261; p≥0.001) was found. The MMAS sensitivity and specificity, with positive and negative predictive values were 77.61%, 45.37%, 46.84% and 76.56%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this validation study indicate that the Malaysian version of the MMAS is a reliable and valid measure of medication adherence which can now be used.
Al-Qazaz
Harith Kh
HKh
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
Hassali
Mohamed A
MA
Shafie
Asrul A
AA
Sulaiman
Syed A
SA
Sundram
Shameni
S
Morisky
Donald E
DE
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007802:Language; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D044469:Racial Groups; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents