Psychometric evaluation of the computerized battery for neuropsychological evaluation of children (BENCI) among school aged children in the context of HIV in an urban Kenyan setting
Abstract Introduction Culturally validated neurocognitive measures for children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries are important in the timely and correct identification of neurocognitive impairments. Such measures can inform development of interventions for children exposed to additional vulnerabi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04880-z |
| _version_ | 1827933288172355584 |
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| author | Maina Rachel He Jia Abubakar Amina Miguel Perez-Garcia Manasi Kumar Jelte M. Wicherts |
| author_facet | Maina Rachel He Jia Abubakar Amina Miguel Perez-Garcia Manasi Kumar Jelte M. Wicherts |
| author_sort | Maina Rachel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Culturally validated neurocognitive measures for children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries are important in the timely and correct identification of neurocognitive impairments. Such measures can inform development of interventions for children exposed to additional vulnerabilities like HIV infection. The Battery for Neuropsychological Evaluation of Children (BENCI) is an openly available, computerized neuropsychological battery specifically developed to evaluate neurocognitive impairment. This study adapted the BENCI and evaluated its reliability and validity in Kenya. Methodology The BENCI was adapted using translation and back-translation from Spanish to English. The psychometric properties were evaluated in a case–control study of 328 children (aged 6 – 14 years) living with HIV and 260 children not living with HIV in Kenya. We assessed reliability, factor structure, and measurement invariance with respect to HIV. Additionally, we examined convergent validity of the BENCI using tests from the Kilifi Toolkit. Results Internal consistencies (0.49 < α < 0.97) and test–retest reliabilities (-.34 to .81) were sufficient-to-good for most of the subtests. Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations between the BENCI’s Verbal memory and Kilifi’s Verbal List Learning (r = .41), the BENCI’s Visual memory and Kilifi’s Verbal List Learning (r = .32) and the BENCI’s Planning total time test and Kilifi’s Tower Test (r = -.21) and the BENCI’s Abstract Reasoning test and Kilifi’s Raven’s Progressive Matrix (r = .21). The BENCI subtests highlighted meaningful differences between children living with HIV and those not living with HIV. After some minor adaptions, a confirmatory four-factor model consisting of flexibility, fluency, reasoning and working memory fitted well (χ2 = 135.57, DF = 51, N = 604, p < .001, RMSEA = .052, CFI = .944, TLI = .914) and was partially scalar invariant between HIV positive and negative groups. Conclusion The English version of the BENCI formally translated for use in Kenya can be further adapted and integrated in clinical and research settings as a valid and reliable cognitive test battery. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:22:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-db135017ee3a4056bb574959e13ea89c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:22:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
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| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-db135017ee3a4056bb574959e13ea89c2023-06-04T11:35:47ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2023-05-0123112210.1186/s12888-023-04880-zPsychometric evaluation of the computerized battery for neuropsychological evaluation of children (BENCI) among school aged children in the context of HIV in an urban Kenyan settingMaina Rachel0He Jia1Abubakar Amina2Miguel Perez-Garcia3Manasi Kumar4Jelte M. Wicherts5Department of Methodology and Statistics, Tilburg UniversityDepartment of Methodology and Statistics, Tilburg UniversityInstitute for Human Development, Aga Khan UniversityMind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of GranadaBrain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan UniversityDepartment of Methodology and Statistics, Tilburg UniversityAbstract Introduction Culturally validated neurocognitive measures for children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries are important in the timely and correct identification of neurocognitive impairments. Such measures can inform development of interventions for children exposed to additional vulnerabilities like HIV infection. The Battery for Neuropsychological Evaluation of Children (BENCI) is an openly available, computerized neuropsychological battery specifically developed to evaluate neurocognitive impairment. This study adapted the BENCI and evaluated its reliability and validity in Kenya. Methodology The BENCI was adapted using translation and back-translation from Spanish to English. The psychometric properties were evaluated in a case–control study of 328 children (aged 6 – 14 years) living with HIV and 260 children not living with HIV in Kenya. We assessed reliability, factor structure, and measurement invariance with respect to HIV. Additionally, we examined convergent validity of the BENCI using tests from the Kilifi Toolkit. Results Internal consistencies (0.49 < α < 0.97) and test–retest reliabilities (-.34 to .81) were sufficient-to-good for most of the subtests. Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations between the BENCI’s Verbal memory and Kilifi’s Verbal List Learning (r = .41), the BENCI’s Visual memory and Kilifi’s Verbal List Learning (r = .32) and the BENCI’s Planning total time test and Kilifi’s Tower Test (r = -.21) and the BENCI’s Abstract Reasoning test and Kilifi’s Raven’s Progressive Matrix (r = .21). The BENCI subtests highlighted meaningful differences between children living with HIV and those not living with HIV. After some minor adaptions, a confirmatory four-factor model consisting of flexibility, fluency, reasoning and working memory fitted well (χ2 = 135.57, DF = 51, N = 604, p < .001, RMSEA = .052, CFI = .944, TLI = .914) and was partially scalar invariant between HIV positive and negative groups. Conclusion The English version of the BENCI formally translated for use in Kenya can be further adapted and integrated in clinical and research settings as a valid and reliable cognitive test battery.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04880-zCognitive testsValidityReliabilityThe BENCIKenyaSchool aged children |
| spellingShingle | Maina Rachel He Jia Abubakar Amina Miguel Perez-Garcia Manasi Kumar Jelte M. Wicherts Psychometric evaluation of the computerized battery for neuropsychological evaluation of children (BENCI) among school aged children in the context of HIV in an urban Kenyan setting BMC Psychiatry Cognitive tests Validity Reliability The BENCI Kenya School aged children |
| title | Psychometric evaluation of the computerized battery for neuropsychological evaluation of children (BENCI) among school aged children in the context of HIV in an urban Kenyan setting |
| title_full | Psychometric evaluation of the computerized battery for neuropsychological evaluation of children (BENCI) among school aged children in the context of HIV in an urban Kenyan setting |
| title_fullStr | Psychometric evaluation of the computerized battery for neuropsychological evaluation of children (BENCI) among school aged children in the context of HIV in an urban Kenyan setting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychometric evaluation of the computerized battery for neuropsychological evaluation of children (BENCI) among school aged children in the context of HIV in an urban Kenyan setting |
| title_short | Psychometric evaluation of the computerized battery for neuropsychological evaluation of children (BENCI) among school aged children in the context of HIV in an urban Kenyan setting |
| title_sort | psychometric evaluation of the computerized battery for neuropsychological evaluation of children benci among school aged children in the context of hiv in an urban kenyan setting |
| topic | Cognitive tests Validity Reliability The BENCI Kenya School aged children |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04880-z |
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