Preparation, translation and evaluation of face and content validity of the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) in Farsi

Introduction: Childhood is the time of onset for many psychiatric disorders. Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) is developed in response to the need for a standard and reliable tool for assessment of psychiatric disorders in preschool age. The aim of this study was to translate this tool to Farsi and evaluate the face and content validity of this precious and comprehensive tool. Methods: The process was forward translation to Farsi, evaluation for face and content validity, finalization of items within expert panel, backward translation to English, matching the original PAPA with randomly selected items from the backward translation version and revision as needed and finally evaluation for validity of the changes for localization and cultural considerations. Results: The research team translated original PAPA to Farsi. In the next step, evaluation for face and content validity was performed by expert panel, a mean of 30-35 items from 100 pages were revised and 7 items which were not compatible with social and cultural conditions in our country got localized. Two percent of pages from this forward translation (14 pages) were randomly selected as a sample from the whole questionnaire in order to be back translated to Farsi and expert panel were asked to evaluate. This version was revised based on their comments. The localized items were evaluated based on certainty, necessity and appropriateness and revised if needed. Conclusion: Farsi version of PAPA diagnostic interview for preschool age is available and has face and content validity.