Development and Psychometric Evaluation of Data-collection tools for Road Traffic Injury

Abstract

Introduction: Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) impose a worldwide burden on public health and economy. Moreover, RTIs result in a wide range of immediate and long-term consequences. Comprehensive and accurate data is fundamentally needed for effective management of RTIs. Hence, using reliable and valid data collection tools are required. The present study is a part of national project of Iranian Integrated Road Traffic Injury Registry (IRTIR). Objectives: The objectives of the present study can be defined at two phases: 1- Development and psychometric evaluation of data collection tool for inpatient road traffic injuries; 2- Development and psychometric evaluation of data collection tool for post-discharge consequences of road traffic injuries. Methods: Data collection tools were developed by information retrieved from literature review, needs assessment of experts and discussion in expert panel. The content validity of the phase one data collection tool was assessed through an external panel of experts. The phase two registry timeframe was designed at three time-points based on literature review and expert’s opinion. The reliability of the tools were evaluated using test-retest method and assessing interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), modified Kappa, Kendall Tau and Cronbach’s alpha. Results: The data collection tool for inpatient phase consisted of 53 items divided into five categories. The content validity and stability of phase one data collection tool was approved. The CVR for all items was ≥ 0.86 and ICC was ≥0.5. The triple post-discharge consequences RTI data collection tools register data on demographic, medical, psychiatric, economic and social characteristics. Discussion: The inpatient data collection tool and post-discharge consequences data collection tools were confirmed to be valid and reliable tools and suitable to be used in the Iranian Integrated Road Traffic Injury Registry and similar settings.