Cross Culture Adaptation of Urinary Incontinence awareness and attitude scale into Kannada Language A-Reliability and validity study

This study is titled Cross Culture Adaptation of Urinary Incontinence Awareness and Attitude Scale into Kannada Language A Reliability and Validity Study. It is being conducted by Ms. Tejaswini M as the Principal Investigator, with Dr. Ranjith Anumasa and Mr. Likith Manjunath as Co Investigators.

The primary purpose of the study is to translate the English version of the Urinary Incontinence Awareness and Attitude Scale URINAS into the Kannada language and to evaluate its psychometric properties, specifically reliability and validity. An additional objective was added regarding copyrights.

Urinary Incontinence is a common and often under-reported health issue in India, with prevalence ranging from 10 percentage in rural areas to 34 percentage in urban areas, significantly impacting an individuals quality of life. Studies indicate low awareness of UI, leading individuals to cope with the problem themselves rather than seeking professional help. Given that Kannada speakers number around 40.6 million in Karnataka, there is a need for a culturally adapted and linguistically valid Kannada version of the URINAS scale to assess awareness and attitude towards UI.

The study is a cross cultural adaptation study with a duration of one year, taking place at R L Jalappa Hospital, Tamaka, Kolar. It aims to recruit 60 participants aged 18 to 64 years, including both males and females, who can read Kannada and have no history of Urinary Incontinence. Participants already diagnosed with UI will be excluded.

The methodology involves a detailed translation and adaptation process

• Permission from the original scale developer is obtained.
• Forward translation involves two independent Kannada translations by a General Physician and a Physical Therapist.
• These translations are then synthesized into a common version.
• Backward translation is performed by two native English translators who are not from a medical background and are blinded to the original scale.
• A subsequent synthesis phase compares the back translated version with the original URINAS scale, with verification from the original author, and modifications are made for cultural context.
• An Expert Committee consisting of methodological, health, language professionals, and translators will develop the pre final URINAS K, ensuring its understandability, vocabulary, and relevance for Kannada culture.

After the adaptation, the URINAS K will be administered to 60 participants recruited via convenient sampling. Data will be analysed using SPSS 23. Content validity will be determined using the Content Validity Index, while reliability will be assessed using parallel form testing and internal consistency Cronbach alpha. Construct validity will be evaluated through explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis.

All investigations related to the study will be free of cost to the participants. Participation is entirely voluntary, and confidentiality of information will be maintained. The expected benefit is the ability to assess individuals awareness and attitude about UI, which can help them report their condition to healthcare professionals and seek appropriate treatment.