Volume 16, Issue S7 e038917
DEMENTIA CARE AND PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS
Free Access

Translation and cultural adaptation of iSupport in Brazil

Dementia care research (research projects; nonpharmacological) / Behavioral interventions

Deborah Oliveira

Corresponding Author

Deborah Oliveira

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, São Paulo, Brazil

Correspondence

Deborah Oliveira, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, São Paulo, Brazil.

Email: [email protected]

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Alessandro Ferrari Jacinto

Alessandro Ferrari Jacinto

UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Aline Cristina Martins Gratao

Aline Cristina Martins Gratao

Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Department of Gerontology, Sao Carlos, Brazil

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Ana Carolina Ottaviani

Ana Carolina Ottaviani

Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Department of Gerontology, São Carlos, Brazil

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Camila Rafael Ferreira

Camila Rafael Ferreira

Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Department of Psychology, Sao Carlos, Brazil

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Diana Quirino Monteiro

Diana Quirino Monteiro

Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Department of Gerontology, Sao Carlos, Brazil

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Elizabeth Joan Barham

Elizabeth Joan Barham

Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Department of Psychology, Sao Carlos, Brazil

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Fabiana de Souza Orlandi

Fabiana de Souza Orlandi

Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Department of Gerontology, Sao Carlos, Brazil

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Keila Cristianne Trindade de Cruz

Keila Cristianne Trindade de Cruz

Universidade de Brasília, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Brasília, Brazil

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Larissa Correa

Larissa Correa

Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Department of Gerontology, Sao Carlos, Brazil

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Marisa Zazzeta

Marisa Zazzeta

Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Department of Gerontology, Sao Carlos, Brazil

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Sofia Cristina Iost Pavarini

Sofia Cristina Iost Pavarini

Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Department of Gerontology, São Carlos, Brazil

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First published: 07 December 2020
Citations: 3

Abstract

Background

Most people with dementia are living in low- and middle-income countries and are being cared for at home by their families. This task can negatively affect the mental and physical health of carers. However, public health initiatives to support family carers are still scarce. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the iSupport programme from World Health Organization for use by carers of people with dementia in Brazil.

Methods

The translation of the programme from English to Brazilian Portuguese was conducted by a professional translator. The translated content was discussed and checked for relevance, clarity and accuracy by a multidisciplinary team of researchers in Brazil. Next, 16 focus groups (n=48) were conducted with family carers of people with dementia and health and social care professionals in Sao Carlos-SP, Brasilia-DF and Sao Lourenco-MG. Discussions were aimed at exploring whether the content of the translated version of iSupport was both clear and relevant to the needs of carers of people with dementia in Brazil. Representatives of the Brazilian Ministry of Health and Alzheimer’s Associations also contributed to this assessment.

Results

Overall, all participants had positive views of the iSupport material. In addition to researchers and translators, carers and professionals helped refine the text to make it clearer and more tuned to the Brazilian context. In general, participants found the material clearly written and culturally relevant. A few changes were suggested with regards to terminology and examples given in the modules to better fit the Brazilian culture and health systems, and links to relevant web pages of the Brazilian Alzheimer Association were included. Although further information could be added, the existing material was seen as sufficient.

Conclusion

The translation and cultural adaptation of iSupport included inputs from four categories of participants and showed that the programme was considered easy to understand and culturally relevant for carers of people with dementia in Brazil. The next step will be to pilot the translated and culturally adapted programme with carers in Brazil to establish its efficacy and usability.