Validation of the Hindi version of the MOS SF-36 health survey for evaluating quality of life among the elderly population in North India.

Context: India's aging population, expected to increase significantly by 2050, necessitates a focus on the quality of life (QoL) among the elderly. QoL, encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being, is essential for the elderly, given the challenges they face. The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) is a widely used tool for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL) but requires validation for the geriatric population in North India.

Aims: This study aims to validate the Hindi version of the SF-36 to assess the QoL among the elderly in the North India.

Settings And Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lucknow district.

Methods And Material: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lucknow, selecting 180 participants aged 60 and above via simple random sampling. The RAND 36-Item Health Survey was translated into Hindi, back-translated, and culturally adapted for North India.

Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analysed using SPSS 26.0 and SPSS Amos, with structural equation modelling to validate the questionnaire. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and reliability was examined through split-half reliability. Factor analysis was used to evaluate structural validity. Known-group comparisons analysed the questionnaire's ability to differentiate between various demographic groups.

Results: Hindi version of SF 36 questionnaire showed strong reliability, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients for all subscales above 0.7, and a split-half reliability coefficient of 0.806. Factor analysis led to the removal of 11 items, resulting in 25 items that formed 6 common components, explaining 72.34% of the total variance. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) indicated good model fit, with significant correlations between subscales. Known-group comparisons demonstrated that advanced age, anaemia, urban residence, and female gender were associated with lower SF-36 scores, validating the survey's discriminative abilities.

Conclusions: The Hindi version of SF-36 was thus confirmed as a reliable and valid tool for assessing the QoL of the geriatric population in North India.