Caitlin Mary Agnew1, Lyndie Foster Page2, Sally Hibbert1. 1. Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Westmead Centre for Oral Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2. Department of Oral Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Abstract
AIM: To measure the validity and reliability of the Child Oral Health Impact Profile-Short Form (COHIP-SF) in Australian children with orofacial cleft (OFC) and to evaluate the need for a proxy report. DESIGN: Children with OFC and their proxy completed a COHIP-SF questionnaire. Items were divided into oral health, functional and socio-emotional subscales, and scores on all subscales were compared between and within groups. RESULTS: A total of 222 children (average age 11.3, SD = 3.5, range 8.0-14.0) and 215 proxies completed the COHIP-SF, with similar mean scores of 50.8 (SD = 13.7) and 48.1 (SD = 14.0). Excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.9) and convergent validity was evident (P < 0.001); however, discriminant validity was weaker. There was strong correlation between child and proxy reports (Pearson's r = 0.7), and intraclass correlation coefficients were high indicating good child/proxy agreement. Older children had poor socio-emotional well-being (P < 0.004), and children with bilateral cleft lip and palate (CL/P) and velopharyngeal insufficiency/submucous cleft (VPI/SMC) had poor functional well-being. Those with private health insurance reported better oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The COHIP-SF is a valid and reliable measure for measuring OHRQoL in Australian children with OFC. Proxy reports did not add further information regarding a child's OHRQoL.
AIM: To measure the validity and reliability of the Child Oral Health Impact Profile-Short Form (COHIP-SF) in Australian children with orofacial cleft (OFC) and to evaluate the need for a proxy report. DESIGN:Children with OFC and their proxy completed a COHIP-SF questionnaire. Items were divided into oral health, functional and socio-emotional subscales, and scores on all subscales were compared between and within groups. RESULTS: A total of 222 children (average age 11.3, SD = 3.5, range 8.0-14.0) and 215 proxies completed the COHIP-SF, with similar mean scores of 50.8 (SD = 13.7) and 48.1 (SD = 14.0). Excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.9) and convergent validity was evident (P < 0.001); however, discriminant validity was weaker. There was strong correlation between child and proxy reports (Pearson's r = 0.7), and intraclass correlation coefficients were high indicating good child/proxy agreement. Older children had poor socio-emotional well-being (P < 0.004), and children with bilateral cleft lip and palate (CL/P) and velopharyngeal insufficiency/submucous cleft (VPI/SMC) had poor functional well-being. Those with private health insurance reported better oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The COHIP-SF is a valid and reliable measure for measuring OHRQoL in Australian children with OFC. Proxy reports did not add further information regarding a child's OHRQoL.