Translation of the Social Difficulties Inventory (SDI-21) into three South Asian languages and preliminary evaluation of SDI-21(Urdu).
OBJECTIVE
In the United Kingdom, cross-cultural adaptation of questionnaires would allow for inclusivity in assessment in cancer clinics for non-English speakers. The aim was to translate the Social Difficulties Inventory (SDI-21) into Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi and undertake preliminary evaluation of translated versions.


METHODS
The study comprised three stages: (1) translation/back translation and evaluation of cultural equivalence of the SDI-21, (2) south Asian (SA) patient evaluation of SDI-21 translations and (3) evaluation using Rasch analysis comparing English and Urdu SDI-21 from data pooled from this and three other studies.


RESULTS
Forward/backward translation resulted in minor amendments particularly in forward translation of SDI-21(Hindi). The majority of the 55 patients interviewed found the SDI-21 acceptable and clear, resulting in no amendments (all versions). Rasch analysis demonstrated good fit. Differential item functioning (DIF) was found for one item, in the comparison of white English (WE)- and SA Urdu-speaking groups. Detailed DIF analysis comparing self-completion and read-aloud administration by language group demonstrated this DIF only held for the comparison between SA English speakers (self-completion) and SA Urdu (read out).


CONCLUSIONS
Translated versions are culturally and linguistically acceptable. The SDI-21 (Urdu) performs similarly to the English version when self-completed.
University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Naheed
N
Hanif
Nimarta
N
Dharni
Adam
A
Smith
Sangeeta
S
Chattoo
Galina
G
Velikova
Chris
C
Bradley
Dan
D
Stark
Penny
P
Wright
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001208:Asia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult