title: A partial validation of the WHOQOL-OLD in a sample of older people in South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper describes the psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-OLD, an add-on module to the World Health Organization's Quality of Life measure for older people in a South African sample. The WHOQOL-OLD module was further condensed into three short versions which contain the best items of the original module. The psychometric properties associated with the three short versions of the WHOQOL-OLD are also described.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from Afrikaans-speaking older people (n=176) residing in long-term care facilities in Potchefstroom, situated in the North-West province of South Africa. The mean age of participants was 77 years (SD=8.1). Fifty participants were males and 126 were females. All reported average-to-good health and cognitive ability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The current study found encouraging results related to the original factor structure of the WHOQOL-OLD as well as the three short versions of this instrument. Results stemming from the data of the current sample seem to be a good fit with the original factor structure of the WHOQOL-OLD. The reliabilities associated with the various sub-dimensions point to a reliable instrument.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The WHOQOL-OLD with its 24 items or any of the three short versions of this instrument can, therefore, be utilised in a South African context (Version 3 of the short versions seems to be the better fitting version).
authors.affiliation: Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lizanle
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Biljon
authors.affiliation: Industrial Psychology, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
authors.forename: Petrus
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nel
authors.affiliation: Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; vera.roos@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Roos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014944:World Health Organization
keywords: WHOQOL-OLD measuring instrument; long-term care facility; older people; psychometric properties; quality of life