Affiliations: [a] Department of Ergonomics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| [b] Department of Physiotherapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| [c] Access Physiotherapy, Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Hamid Reza Mokhtarinia, Kodakyar Ave, Daneshjo Blvd., Evin, PC: 1985713834, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Tel.:/Fax: +98 21 22180064; E-mail: Hrmokhtarinia@yahoo.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:The Quick Exposure Check (QEC) is an instrument to identify occupational risk factors, and to screen subjects for the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in their workplace. OBJECTIVES:The aim of this prospective observational study was the cross-cultural adaptation of the QEC for Persian (QEC-Pr) speaking workers and the determination of the minimally required psychometric properties, including reliability and validity, in a Persian population. METHODS:The forward-backward translation was completed according to the published guidelines. A total of 217 male construction workers were recruited. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool was used as the criterion. The Inter- and intra-rater reliability was performed respectively in a sub-sample of n = 50 and n = 30. Convergent validity was determined from the correlation between the QEC-Pr and the RULA. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s α. RESULTS:High levels of inter-rater reliability (ICC2.1 range = 0.79–0.93), intra-rater reliability (ICC2.1 range = 0.74–0.89) and internal consistency (α= 0.74) were obtained. Concurrent validity between the different sections of the QEC and RULA scores were determined to be fair but below the desired level (range r = 0.41–0.44). CONCLUSIONS:The QEC-Pr can be applied as a specific risk assessment instrument for different occupational situations, such as the construction industry, in Persian language populations.
