The Health and Functioning ICF-60: development and psychometric properties

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Psychometrics
• Public Health

Background:

• The Health and Functioning ICF-60 (HF-ICF-60) measure was developed based on the WHO ICF (2001).
• It aims to assess changes in functioning related to health and nutrition.
• The study explored its relationship with quality of life measures, specifically the WHOQOL-BREF, in the context of non-communicable diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the psychometric properties of the HF-ICF-60.
• To establish HF-ICF-60 as a tool for monitoring population health and nutritional status.
• To explore the correlation between HF-ICF-60 and WHOQOL-BREF in relation to non-communicable diseases.

Main Methods:

• The HF-ICF-60 comprises 60 items from the ICF, covering Body Functions, Activities and Participation, and Environmental Factors.
• Data were collected from a nationally representative Russian sample (n=9807 in 2004, n=9560 in 2005) via the RLMS.
• Statistical analyses included classical psychometric methods and Item Response Theory.

Main Results:

• Factor analyses supported the proposed structure of the HF-ICF-60.
• The measure demonstrated good reliability, validity, and sensitivity to changes in health and nutritional status.
• Normative values for the Russian adult population were established.

Conclusions:

• The HF-ICF-60 exhibits robust psychometric properties in the Russian population, supporting its use for normative health and functioning assessments.
• Combining HF-ICF-60 with WHOQOL-BREF allows for mapping objective health status onto subjective quality of life.
• This combined approach is valuable for monitoring non-communicable diseases and promoting healthy lifestyles globally.