Background: The Work-Related Quality of Life Scale (WRQLS) was developed for health-care workers in England but might be useful, if valid, in other parts of the world or for other professions. Objective: We test the construct validity and reliability of the WRQLS as applied to nurses in Singapore. Methods: A descriptive study was undertaken in 2009 on a sample of 811 nurses at the National University Hospital (NUH) of Singapore who had at least one year’s work experience. The WRQLS was used in order to test its construct validity. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to reduce the factors used to determine WRQLS variance. The Pearson’s correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between the WRQLS and the 12-item short form health survey (SF-12) in order to substantiate conclusions regarding construct validity while Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to test WRQLS reliability. Results: The median age of the respondents was 31 (IQR=12) and the majority were female (96.9%). The median duration of work experience was seven years (IQR=10). Following the exploratory factor analysis, a five-factor model with 22 items was selected, including; 1) job and career satisfaction, 2) general well-being, 3) home-work interface, 4) stress at work, and 5) working conditions. The correlation coefficient showed a moderate relationship between the WRQLS and mental component scale (MCS-12) (r=0.495); and a weak relationship between the WRQLS and physical component scale (PCS-12) (r=0.149). The Cronbach’s alpha revealed good reliability (r=0.92). Conclusion: The WRQLS test among nurses in Singapore showed good construct validity and reliability. It could be useful in a working environment in Asia but further testing might be warranted.

ObjectivesAs quality of work-life (QWL) among nurses affects both patient care and institutional standards, assessment regarding QWL for the profession is important. Work-related Quality of Life Scale (WRQOLS) is a reliable QWL assessment tool for the nursing profession. To develop a Chinese version of the WRQOLS-2 and to examine its psychometric properties as an instrument to assess QWL for the nursing profession in China.MethodsForward and back translating procedures were used to develop the Chinese version of WRQOLS-2. Six nursing experts participated in content validity evaluation and 352 registered nurses (RNs) participated in the tests. After a two-week interval, 70 of the RNs were retested. Structural validity was examined by principal components analysis and the Cronbach's alphas calculated. The respective independent sample t-test and intra-class correlation coefficient were used to analyze known-group validity and test-retest reliability.ResultsOne item was rephrased for adaptation to Chinese organizational cultures. The content validity index of the scale was 0.98. Principal components analysis resulted in a seven-factor model, accounting for 62% of total variance, with Cronbach's alphas for subscales ranging from 0.71 to 0.88. Known-group validity was established in the assessment results of the participants in permanent employment vs. contract employment (t = 2.895, p < 0.01). Good test-retest reliability was observed (r = 0.88, p < 0.01).ConclusionThe translated Chinese version of the WRQOLS-2 has sufficient validity and reliability so that it can be used to evaluate the QWL among nurses in mainland China.

BackgroundCurrently available questionnaires for evaluating the quality of worklife do not fully examine every factor related to worklife in all cultures. A tool in Thai is therefore needed for the direct evaluation of the quality of worklife. Our aim was to translate the Work-related Quality of Life Scale-2 (WRQLS-2) into Thai, to assess the validity and reliability of the Thai-translated version, and to examine the tool's accuracy vis-à-vis nursing in Thailand.MethodsThis was a descriptive correlation study. Forward and backward translations were performed to develop a Thai version of the WRQLS. Six nursing experts participated in assessing content validity and 374 registered nurses (RNs) participated in its testing. After a 2-week interval, 67 RNs were retested. Structural validity was examined using principal components analysis. The Cronbach's alpha values were calculated. The respective independent sample t test and intraclass correlation coefficient were used to analyze known-group validity and test–retest reliability. Multistate sampling was used to select 374 RNs from the In- and Outpatient Department of Srinagarind Hospital of the Khon Kaen University (Khon Kaen, Thailand).ResultsThe content validity index of the scale was 0.97. Principal components analysis resulted in a seven-factor model, which explains 59% of the total variance. The overall Cronbach's alpha value was 0.925, whereas the subscales ranged between 0.67 and 0.82. In the assessment results, the known-group validity was established for the difference between civil servants and university employees [F (7.982, 0.005) and t (3.351; p < 0.05)]. Civil servants apparently had a better quality worklife, compared to university employees. Good test–retest reliability was observed (r = 0.892, p < 0.05).ConclusionThe Thai version of a WRQLS appears to be well validated and practicable for determining the quality of the work-life among nurses in Thailand.

No abstract

Drowning is a leading cause of childhood deaths in Asian countries. Children in primary school have a high rate of fatal drowning. These fatal drownings commonly occur in natural water bodies near the child's residence. The 2004 Thai National Injury Survey reported a higher rate of drowning death in rural settings. While swimming skill is recommended to decrease drowning risk, there is a lack of information on factors contributing to a child's swimming skill. This study assesses guardians' perceptions of the swimming skill of rural primary school children and identifies associated risk and protective factors. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted during August-September 2009 in rural communities of Chiang Rai province, Thailand. We analyzed a total of 633 interview surveys completed with guardians of primary school children. Results revealed that less than one-fifth (19%) of the school children (age 6-12 years old) could swim. Multiple logistic regression showed that children who can swim are more likely to have attended swimming lessons (Odds Ratio [OR] = 23.95; 95% CI = 12.21-46.98); be 10-12 years of age (OR = 4.15; 95% CI = 2.35-7.30); be male (OR = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.67-4.77); have had self-reported life-threatening submersion experience (OR = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.10-4.12); or be the child of a guardian who can swim (OR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.25-3.44). The results highlight the need to provide swimming lessons targeting all children beginning in the younger age groups. Local resources in natural water sites may provide a place for safe swimming lessons in rural areas.