Abstract
This study aims at developing the standardized self-reported health state questionnaire that will serve as a tool for collecting valid, reliable and comparable population health data in Thailand. The data regarding population health which will be obtained through the use of this questionnaire will be beneficial for adjusting health policies and programs in Thailand to meet the needs and health problems of the people. In order to accomplish the task, the research team has chosen the WHO’s Health State Description developed under the WHS 2002-2003 project which is considered standardized to be translated into Thai language. After completion of the processes of translation and language adjustment, the questionnaire was tested in the samples which are representative of Thai people characterized by age, sex and socio-economic status. In addition, in order to enhance a cross population comparative quality of the questionnaire, the testing was carried out in 5 provinces where are regarded as Thailand’s cultural specific areas. They include Yala in the South, Chonburi and Bangkok in the Central, Chiang Mai in the North and Ubon Ratchathani in the Northeast. The sample size was 420 covering population in 5 age groups (age 18-29 years-old, 30-44 years-old, 45-49 years-old, 60-69 years-old and over 70 years-old). After collecting, processing and analyzing of the data, the translated questionnaire was reconsidered and adjusted in some specific questions that the given answers show low reliability and consistency. The statistical analysis of the testing indicates that a majority of the respondents gave an answer to each question in eight domains of health in a similar direction. This result shows a consistency and reliability of the translated questionnaire. Furthermore, the correlation testing demonstrates the consistency and internal validity of questions used in the questionnaire.
