Applicability of the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory among Saudi children.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the cross-cultural applicability of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) among Saudi children.

Methods: The PEDI score form was translated into Arabic then back translated to English. The Arabic translated PEDI was administered by specialized physical therapists to 52 nondisabled Saudi children (30 boys, 22 girls) aged between 1 and 7 years, from five schools. The sample was divided into age groups and the mean of each group score was compared to the US normative value using one sample t-test with a reference mean of 50. Consistency was tested using Cronbach's α and the influence of demographic factors was assessed using univariate analysis of variance.

Results: Data analysis showed lower scores from the Saudi children sample in both the Functional Skills scale and the Caregiver Assistance scale in some age groups compared to US PEDI reference values. Cronbach's α was found to be high to moderate, and no demographic factors were shown to have influenced the outcome, except PEDI scores differed significantly in children with working mothers compared to those with non-working mothers.

Conclusion: Saudi children scored significantly lower than US PEDI reference values in some age groups. We highly attribute this to parental attitude and the more behaviour of Saudi mothers towards their children. The study also reinforces that children of working mothers are more independent, an encouraging finding for those mothers facing resistance and lack of support for their work. Implications for Rehabilitation Saudi children perform less than their U.S. peers, certifying the need for cultural norming of PEDI prior to its use among Saudi children. The surrounding environment and culture has remarkable influence on Saudi children neuro-development, as reflected by the delay from original PEDI reference values. While designing rehabilitation programs for disabled children, physical therapists must consider that mothers' attitude, home environment and local culture have an obvious impact on children's capability and performance in functional activity. Working mothers' children were more independent than nonworking mothers; hence, it is useful to consider this trait in the initial evaluation.