BMJ  2004;328 (10 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7431.0-a

Translation affects results of cross cultural surveys

Poor translation of questionnaires affects the results of surveys among ethnic minority groups. Bhopal and colleagues (p 76) identified 43 publications and reviewed 18 key studies analysing tobacco and alcohol consumption among ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom. They found important differences between self reported prevalence of tobacco use in five national surveys, and poor adherence to guidelines for translation of questionnaires. The authors conclude that survey methodology in multiethnic populations needs to be improved, and current self reported data should be used carefully as results may be biased by incomplete understanding of the questions.

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Review of prevalence data in, and evaluation of methods for cross cultural adaptation of, UK surveys on tobacco and alcohol in ethnic minority groups

Raj Bhopal, Amanda Vettini, Sonja Hunt, Sushmita Wiebe, Lisa Hanna, and Amanda Amos
BMJ 2004 328: 76. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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