Reliability of a Bahasa Melayu language version of the MOS ۳۶-item short-form health survey (SF-۳۶) in patients with low vision

Abstract Background: The MOS ۳۶-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-۳۶) Bahasa Melayu language version is widely used to determine the health outcomes in Malaysia. Low vision is a condition where vision cannot be restored and vision rehabilitation is required to overcome the challenges it imposes. The SF-۳۶ Bahasa Melayu language version can be used to measure the health outcomes among low-vision patients. However, little information is available among low-vision patients. This study aimed to assess the reliability of the SF-۳۶ Bahasa Melayu language version among low-vision patients. Methods: Fifty low-vision patients aged ۱۴ to ۷۴ years (mean ± standard deviation: ۴۴.۵۸ ± ۱۸.۷۰ years) were randomly selected. All low-vision patients were interviewed twice by the same interviewer with a ۲-weeks interval. Results: The SF-۳۶ Bahasa Melayu language version showed acceptable and good Cronbach alpha values of ۰.۶۸, ۰.۶۷, ۰.۷۶, ۰.۷۲, ۰.۷۳, ۰.۷۵, ۰.۷۲, ۰.۷۳ for physical function, role-physical, body pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotion, and mental health, respectively, in the first interview. The second interview also revealed similar Cronbach alpha values. The SF-۳۶ Bahasa Melayu language version also showed a good repeatability between the first interview and the second interview, with Pearson correlation coefficients ranging from ۰.۶ to ۰.۹. Conclusions: From this study, it can be concluded that the SF-۳۶ Bahasa Melayu language version is reliable and repeatable. It is a useful tool to measure health outcomes among Malaysian low-vision patients. However, a future study of low-vision patients from the rural population and age groups representing the youth, working adults, and older individuals is necessary to obtain better outcomes of SF-۳۶ in Bahasa Melayu language-based information on the health status of low-vision patients. Keywords: SF-۳۶ Bahasa Melayu language version MOS ۳۶-Item Short-Form Health Survey SF-۳۶ low vision reliability visual impairment health outcomes visual rehabilitation Bahasa Melayu optometry