Updating and validation of the socioeconomic status scale for health research in Egypt

Abstract

This study aimed to update and re-validate the scoring system of Fahmy and El-Sherbini for measurement of socioeconomic status in health research in Egypt. The new socioeconomic status scale has 7 domains with a total score of 84. Intra-and inter-observer variability and the internal consistency of the scale were assessed. A linear regression model was performed to determine the relative importance of each domain to the total score. Kappa coefficient was used to measure the agreement between the socioeconomic levels of the new and the old scales. There was a strong correlation between most of the 7 domains of the scale. Cronbach α for the scale was 0.66. The education domain contributed to 0.898 of variation in total score. There was a moderate agreement (κ = 0.76) and strong positive significant correlation (r = 0.93) between the socioeconomic levels and scores of both scales. We conclude that the new socioeconomic status scale is valid and reliable. Mansoura, Mansoura, Egypt (Correspondence to A. El-Gilany: ahgilany@gmail.com; ahgilany@hotmail.co.uk). RÉSUMÉ La présente étude visait à mettre à jour et à revalider le système d'évaluation de Fahmy et El-Sherbini relatif à la mesure du statut socioéconomique dans la recherche en santé en Égypte. La nouvelle échelle du statut socioéconomique compte sept domaines pour un score total de 84. La variabilité inter-et intra-observateurs et la cohérence interne de l'échelle ont été évaluées. Un modèle de régression linéaire a été mis en oeuvre pour déterminer l'importance relative de chaque domaine par rapport au score total. Le coefficient Kappa a été utilisé pour mesurer la concordance entre les niveaux socioéconomiques de la nouvelle échelle et de l'ancienne. Une forte corrélation a été observée entre la plupart des sept domaines de l'échelle. Le coefficient α de Cronbach pour l'échelle était de 0,66. Le domaine portant sur le niveau d'études contribuait pour 0,898 dans la variation du score total. Une concordance modérée (κ = 0,76) et une forte corrélation positive (r = 0,93) ont été observées entre les statuts socioéconomiques et les résultats des deux échelles. Nous en avons conclu que la nouvelle échelle du statut socioéconomique était valable et fiable. ‫املتوسط‬ ‫لرشق‬ ‫الصحية‬ ‫املجلة‬ ‫عرش‬ ‫الثامن‬ ‫املجلد‬ ‫التاسع‬ ‫العدد‬ 963

Developing a socioeconomic index for health research in Iraq

“…One of the most frequently used methods for calculating SES in the Middle East is the method developed by El-Gilany and colleagues (26). Using their method, the researcher has to ask more than 36 questions to calculate SES, which could be a major distraction from the main topic of the study.…”

Consumer-oriented evaluation of the service provided by the department of health education and information in Alexandria, Egypt

“…The questionnaire was developed after reviewing a number of references concerning socioeconomic standard measurement [11] , health literacy measurement [12,13] and consumer satisfaction [14,15] . The audience of DHEI educational sessions was interviewed in the setting after attending the health education session.…”

“…The first section involved the sociodemographic profile of the study participants. Updated Fahmy and El-Sherbini socioeconomic scoring system [11] was used to categorize the socioeconomic level of participants. The used scale included data about education and occupation of the respondent and spouse, family members, home sanitation, possessions, economic status, healthcare, and source of health information.…”

Some Epidemiological Aspects of Bronchial Asthma in Children in Qena Governorate, Egypt

“…All patients were subjected to clinical and epidemiological data questionnaires including personal and demographic data as age, sex, residence, socioeconomic status according to El-Gilany et al [14]. Duration of follow-up, and precipitating factors for acute exacerbation including environmental factors, foods, viral infections, endocrinal factors, psychological factors, irritants such as cold air, parental smoking, noxious fumes and drugs such as aspirin and sulfonamide.…”