Factor structure and reliability of the 30-item Sinhala version of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)

ObjectiveTo determine the factor structure and the reliability of the Sinhala version of the General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30).MethodsThis was a descriptive study including 368 patients with in the age range of 18–75 years, attending the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka during the period between June 2009 and September 2010. Sinhala version of GHQ-30 was given to be completed by the participants. Each item of the GHQ was rated on a four-point scale (0-1-2-3). Factor analyses were performed by applying Generalized Least Squares method using oblimin rotation. The internal consistency was assessed by calculating Cronbach's α coefficient.ResultsMedian age of the study population was 32.5 years (Inter quartile range [IQR] = 21 years) and the median GHQ score was 9 (IQR 7). GHQ-30 produced a five factor solution which accounted for 51.6% of the total variance (TV). Factor I (Depression) accounted for 38% of TV, Factor II (Loss of confidence) 5%, Factor III (Insomnia) 4%, Factor IV (Social dysfunction) 2.7% and Factor V (Anxiety) 2%. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients of GHQ-30 was 0.94 indicating satisfactory internal consistency.ConclusionsGHQ-30 comprises five factors/subscales and it displayed adequate reliability for assessment of psychiatric disorders among Sinhala speaking primary care attendees in Sri Lanka.

► We found that Sinhala version of the GHQ-30 consisted of five factors. ► Those five factors together accounted for 51.6% of the total variance. ► The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of GHQ-30 was 0.94.