Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale

Background: Effective self-care is the cornerstone of the successful management of heart failure (HF). The European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale is a brief, reliable and valid scale to measure this important construct among patients with HF. Although the EHFScBS has been translated to different languages, no Chinese version is available. Indeed, previous findings investigating the psychometric properties of EHFScBS indicated ambiguity of the conceptual structure of this scale.

Aim: The aim of this study was to translate the European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale (EHFScBS) into Chinese and to test its psychometric properties in the Chinese patients with HF.

Methods: The EHFScBS (English Version) was translated to Chinese using Brislin's forward and backward translation method. Panel review was used to examine its semantic equivalence and content validity. The EHFScBS (Chinese Version) was then tested with a convenience sample of 143 Chinese HF patients who attended a specialist clinic from January to September 2007.

Results: The content validity index (CVI) of the EHFScBS (Chinese version) was satisfactory (Item CVI=0.96; Scale CVI=0.89), with Cronbach's alpha 0.82. Convergent validity was supported by a moderate relationship, statistical significant with a measure for social support (r=-0.36, p<0.001). However, the findings did not support the hypothesised three-factor structure of the EHFScBS (Chinese Version). Instead, all items except one fit well a two-factor structure to measure help-seeking and regimen-complying behaviours.

Conclusion: The adequate psychometric properties and clear conceptual structure of EHFScBS (Chinese Version) warrant its use in Chinese patients with HF.