Normative data and psychometric properties of short form 36 health survey [SF-36, version 1.0] in the population of north Jordan

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the short form 36 health survey [‎SF-36, version 10]‎ and to establish SF-36 population norms among the general population of north Jordan. A systematic sample of 157 households was selected from 6 districts in Irbid governorate in north Jordan. A total of 511 people aged 18 years or more agreed to participate. The reliability of the instrument using the Arabic version of SF-36 was satisfactory: Cronbach alphas for all 8 SF-36 scales exceeded 0.70. All items passed the tests for item internal consistency and item discriminant validity. SF-36 population norms among the general population of north Jordan were established. The highest mean was for social functioning [‎66.8]‎ among men and for physical functioning [‎69.8]‎ among women. The lowest mean was for vitality [‎55.8]‎ among men and bodily pain [‎54.6]‎ among women. The SF-36 is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring quality of life among Jordanians