Psychometric properties of the Urdu version of Health Literacy Questionnaire

Introduction. Health literacy is the ability of an individual to access, understand and use health-related information and services in order to maintain a good health. The Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), originally developed in Australia, explores nine dimensions of health literacy. HLQ has been translated into various languages including Danish and German, and used to measure health literacy profile of communities in Australia and overseas. Pakistani migrants are one of the fastest growing communities in Australia and they usually speak Urdu at home. There is a lack of information regarding the health literacy of Pakistani migrants in Australia. Aims. This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Urdu version of HLQ. Methods. A forward-backward method of translation was followed to translate HLQ into Urdu. Data was collected online from 202 Pakistani migrants residing in Australia using checkbox® survey tool. Scale reliability was assessed and confirmatory factor analysis was performed to measure the structural properties of the Urdu version of HLQ. Results. The psychometric properties of the Urdu version of HLQ were close to the original questionnaire. Composite reliability of scales ranged from 0.87 to 0.94. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the nine-factor model was fitted to the data with no cross-loadings or correlated residuals allowed. Given the restricted nature of the model, the fit was satisfactory: RMSEA=0.066 and SRMR=0.057. Discussion. The Urdu version of HLQ showed good scale reliability and robust psychometric properties. This Urdu version of the questionnaire is now ready to be used to assess health literacy in Urdu-speaking migrants.