title: A systematic review and appraisal of methods of developing and validating lifestyle cardiovascular disease risk factors questionnaires.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Well developed and validated lifestyle cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors questionnaires is the key to obtaining accurate information to enable planning of CVD prevention program which is a necessity in developing countries. We conducted this review to assess methods and processes used for development and content validation of lifestyle CVD risk factors questionnaires and possibly develop an evidence based guideline for development and content validation of lifestyle CVD risk factors questionnaires.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant databases at the Stellenbosch University library were searched for studies conducted between 2008 and 2012, in English language and among humans. Using the following databases; pubmed, cinahl, psyc info and proquest. Search terms used were CVD risk factors, questionnaires, smoking, alcohol, physical activity and diet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Methods identified for development of lifestyle CVD risk factors were; review of literature either systematic or traditional, involvement of expert and /or target population using focus group discussion/interview, clinical experience of authors and deductive reasoning of authors. For validation, methods used were; the involvement of expert panel, the use of target population and factor analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combination of methods produces questionnaires with good content validity and other psychometric properties which we consider good.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, Stellenbosch University, RSA; Department of Physiotherapy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Odunaiya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nse
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, Stellenbosch University, RSA.
authors.forename: Louw
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Quinette
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ogah
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Okechukwu
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*
keywords: lifestyle cardiovascular disease; risk factors questionnaires; systematic review