Linguistic and Cultural Adaptation and Translation Into Arabic of the Dementia Screening Questionnaire for Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities (DSQIID): The DSQIID-A (Arabic)

BACKGROUND: Dementia is highly prevalent globally with a fivefold increased risk in individuals with intellectual disabilities, particularly those with Down syndrome. Culturally and linguistically sensitive screening tools to aid diagnosis and referral are essential to assist this population. The Dementia Screening Questionnaire for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (DSQIID) is the most psychometrically validated assessment tool for this population; however, no validated version for Arabic-speaking populations exists. METHODS: This study employed a structured Delphi Process, translating and culturally adapting the DSQIID into Arabic using Arabic-speaking bilingual experts to ensure linguistic and cultural diversity including initial and back translations and two expert Delphi rounds. RESULTS: The translation and adaptation process identified a series of adaptations incorporating word equivalence, context sensitivity, synonym selections, tense differentiations, multiple meanings of words and cultural nuances. CONCLUSION: The outcome is a robust translated and adapted version called DSQIID-A (Arabic) ready for validation in clinical and community settings.