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

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.