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. 2020 Jul;11(3):128-139.
doi: 10.34172/ijoem.2020.1878.

Reliability and Validity of an Adapted Questionnaire Assessing Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals among Health Care Workers in Bhutan

Rajni Rai  1 , Sonia El-Zaemey  1 , Nidup Dorji  2 , Lin Fritschi  3
Affiliations

Reliability and Validity of an Adapted Questionnaire Assessing Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals among Health Care Workers in Bhutan

Rajni Rai et al. Int J Occup Environ Med. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Collection of reliable and valid occupational history data is of utmost importance to assess work-related exposures and their health effects. Few standardized questionnaires are available for the collection of occupational history data in low-and-middle income countries.

Objective: To adapt and test a validated questionnaire developed in the United States by the National Institute of Safety and Health, in order to assess occupational chemical exposures among health care workers in Bhutan.

Methods: The questionnaire was first adapted to suit the Bhutanese context with the advice of an expert review committee. 30 health care workers then completed the questionnaire at baseline and 10-14 days later. Test-retest reliability was assessed by calculating Cohen's κ and percentage agreement.

Results: The questionnaire had high test-retest reliability. Cohen's κ ranged from 0.61 to 1.00, and percentage agreement ranged from 86.7% to 100%. Further adaptations included omitting questions on chemicals not available in Bhutan.

Conclusion: The adapted questionnaire is appropriate for assessing occupational chemical exposures among health care workers in Bhutan.

Keywords: Advisory committees; Bhutan; Developing countries; Health personnel; Occupational exposure; Surveys and questionnaires.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

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