Design and validation of appearance and content of an oral health questionnaire for parents or caregivers of children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Introduction: Cerebral palsy is a syndrome that involves a large number of childhood movement and posture disorders, resulting in activity limitation. It is attributed to non-progressive alterations in the fetal or infant brain. This disorder can also be accompanied by oral alterations, some of which can be prevented if the caretaker knows how to manage them. An adequate knowledge of oral health on the part of the caregivers has a positive impact on the oral status of their patients. Objective: To design and validate a questionnaire to assess the oral health knowledge of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: A literature search was conducted to identify published questionnaires on oral health knowledge related to people with disabilities. In the absence of questionnaires in Spanish, the search was focused on other surveys aimed at parents of healthy children. Validation of appearance and content was carried out by a panel of experts and a group representing the target population. Subsequently, two pilot studies were carried out to determine the questions that would make up the final instrument, analyze the need to modify its wording and establish alternative answers. Results: The designed questionnaire was approved by the panel of experts and by the representatives of the population at whom the instrument is aimed. After two pilot studies, a Cronbach's alpha of 0.83 was obtained. Conclusion: The designed and validated questionnaire has good internal consistency. It is necessary to evaluate its reliability so that it can be used clinically and in research studies.

Keywords

• oral health
• cerebral palsy
• surveys and questionnaires
• knowledge
• caregivers