Translation and adaptation of the Brief Intervention Adherence Scale for the Tanzanian culture

Harmful and hazardous alcohol use poses significant health risks globally. Brief interventions (BIs) have shown promise in reducing hazardous alcohol use, but fidelity to the protocol needs to be ensured, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Tanzania. Our study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Tanzanian-Swahili version of the BI adherence scale (BAS) adapted to Tanzanian culture. A psychometric evaluation of the BAS was conducted as part of the "Punguza Pombe Kwa Afya Yako" intervention. Translation and adaptation of the BAS were supervised by a committee of experts at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi. Data analyses included exploratory structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis to assess construct validity. Reliability was evaluated using internal consistency measures. Translation and adaptation of the BAS yielded a final Tanzanian-Swahili version, featuring modifications to align with the Tanzanian context. The internal structure evaluation favored a three-factor solution, as the model demonstrated slightly superior internal consistency and fit. This study developed the first validated Swahili version of BAS in Tanzania. It is evaluated to be a reliable instrument to assess healthcare providers' adherence to BI. The use of BI and BAS should be included in the standard clinical practices.