Validation of the Arabic Version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Scale Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Saudi Arabia.

backgroundThe Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) scale is an extensively used instrument for assessing self-care behaviors in diabetic patients. This study aimed to validate the Arabic version of the SDSCA scale in type 2 diabetes to ensure its reliability and applicability in an Arabic-speaking population.

methodA longitudinal study design was implemented, and initially, 239 participants were selected. The English version of the SDSCA scale was translated by experts using forward and backward translation, and the final version was approved by six expert panels. The final Arabic version was distributed among the type 2 diabetes patients. Psychometric evaluation was performed by the assessment of internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha, while test-retest reliability was examined using interclass correlation coefficients and exploratory factor analysis.

resultsFrom 239 participants, 102 were type 2 diabetic patients. Overall, Cronbach's alpha was 0.72, with the minimum in specific diet (-0.10), while the highest was 0.93 in general diet and blood sugar testing. Meanwhile, moderate to good inter-item and item-to-scale correlations were observed. According to factor analysis, items 1, 2, and 3 loaded heavily on the first dimension; 7 and 8 on the second; 5 and 6 on the third; and 9 and 10 on the fourth item; however, item 4 showed a low factor loading of 0.37 on the third dimension, indicating that this item may not correlate well. The second phase of the factor analysis, except items 3 and 4, exhibits a strong factor structure and captures differences in self-monitoring activity. This strengthens the scale's validity and reliability as a measurement tool. Overall, test-retest reliability demonstrates the robust reliability of diet (general), exercise, and blood sugar.

conclusionThe Arabic version of the SDSCA scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing self-care activities in type 2 diabetes patients in Saudi Arabia, especially in general diet, exercise, and blood sugar testing; however, additional modifications are required to increase the reliability of specific diet domains. This validated scale can be successfully used in clinical and research settings to monitor and enhance the self-care behaviors of Arabic-speaking diabetic patients.