Diferencias de género en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en adolescentes escolarizados chilenos / Gender differences in health-related quality of life of Chilean adolescent students

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) refers to individuals' perception of their subjective well-being, considering various aspects of their life and the impact on their health. Aim: To analyze gender differences in the HRQOL of adolescent students in Chile, by age, type of school attended, and area of residence. Material and Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study conducted in a population of 5th and 12th grade students attending municipal, subsidized and private schools in 11 regions of the country. HRQOL was assessed with the KIDSCREEN-52, an instrument that has been previously adapted and validated in Chile. The database obtained from that adaption and validation process was analyzed. Results: In total, 7,910 students (median age 14 years, 53% female) completed the questionnaire. Compared to males, females had lower HRQOL scores in most of the KIDSCREEN-52 dimensions. However, males were more likely to have lower scores in the “Peers and Social Support” and “School Environment” dimensions. These differences remained valid when the sample was stratified by age, type of school, and area of residence were analyzed. Conclusions: This study supports the existence of inequalities in the self-perceived HRQOL of Chilean adolescent students. The existing differences are not only related to gender but are also evident when stratifying by type of school attended.

Propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud KIDSCREEN-27 en adolescentes chilenos / Psychometric properties of the quality of life questionnaire health related KIDSCREEN-27 in Chilean adolescents

Background: KIDSCREEN-52, which assesses health related quality of life in adolescents, has been adapted and validated in Chile showing excellent psychometric properties. There is a shorter version of the instrument, whose psychometric properties must be assessed. Aim: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the instrument KIDSCREEN-27 in Chilean adolescents. Material and Methods: A secondary analysis of the database obtained for the adaptation and validation of KIDSCREEN-52. Results: The reliability, calculated through Cronbach’s alpha, for the entire instrument (five dimensions) was 0.89. For physical well-being, psychological well-being, autonomy and relationship with parents and peer social support dimensions, scores were higher than 0.75 while for school environment, the score was 0.69. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the indices obtained to assess the goodness of fit in this study were a χ2 (314) = 10521.4, a Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.064 and a Comparative Fit index = 0.96. KIDSCREEN-27 scores were higher among men in the physical well-being, psychological well-being, autonomy and relationship with parents dimensions and among women in social support and peers and school environment dimensions. Scores were higher in younger age groups. Conclusions: The Chilean version of KIDSCREEN-27 instrument has adequate reliability and validity.