A community-based approach to translating and testing cancer literacy assessment tools.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To address the issue of cancer disparities among women whose first language is not English, researchers and public health educators are challenged to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate material and instruments. METHODS: This study documents the process used to linguistically and culturally translate breast and cervical cancer literacy assessment tools from English to Spanish and from English to Arabic by using a community-based method. RESULTS: Results from field testing the assessments demonstrated good reliability for overall cancer literacy in English (Cronbach's alpha .99), Spanish (Cronbach's alpha .99), and Arabic (Cronbach's alpha .81). CONCLUSION: Using a community-based approach to translate the cancer assessments helped to insure they were culturally appropriate.