ORIGINAL: Translation, Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Hausa version of the Standardised Mini-Mental State Examination in Northeastern Nigeria
West Afr J Med . 2022 Jun 24;39(6):614-622.
Keywords:
Cognitive assessment; Hausa language; Mini Mental Status Examination; Older Adults.Abstract
Background: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is one of the most widely used patient-rated assessment tools but may not be applicable among an overwhelming majority of Nigerians older adults. This is because MMSE was designed and adapted for English speakers, and some of its items are challenging to understand for those with low literacy levels.
Objectives: This study aimed at translating and adapting MMSE into the Hausa language and also evaluates the psychometric properties of the modified Hausa version of MMSE.
Methodology: The MMSE was translated and adapted into Hausa language by an Hausa language expert and focus group of experts and the validity of the adapted Hausa MMSE was evaluated against a gold standard (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder V criteria for neurocognitive disorders), among older adults participants (N=100). Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Receiver Operating Curve analysis and Cronbach alpha coefficient approach) were employed for data analysis and the alpha level was set at 0.05.
Results: The adapted Hausa MMSE has item content validity index of 0.97 and the mean expert proportion relevant rating, across all the experts was 0.99. The adapted Hausa version of MMSE shows 66.7% sensitivity and 84.7% specificity, when the original MMSE cut off point of 24 was used. With ROC analysis, optimal cut-offs derived were 25 and 26 with Area Under Curve of 0.886 (95% CI: 0.816-0.956; Std.Err: 0.036; P=0.000). However, at the optimal cut off of 26, derived using ROC analysis, the modified Hausa MMSE had sensitivity of 93.3% and specificity of 71.8% and the tool internal consistency reliability had alpha value of 0.64.
Conclusion: Hausa adapted versions of MMSE is a valid cognitive screening tool for Hausa older adult patients although its use for Screening and for monitoring changes warrant considerations for two separate cut- off points.
