Fatigue in Pregnancy – The Validity and Reliability of the Farsi Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue MAF Scale

Backgrounds:Fatigue is a common discomfort during pregnancy and may contribute to experiencing severe labor pain and postpartum depression. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) Scale in a sample of Iranian pregnant women.Material and Method :We translated the scale into Farsi and assessed the content validity of the scale. About 582 women visiting health centers completed the Farsi MAF and WHO-5 well-being index (WHO-5). We examined the construct validity by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The internal consistency and stability of the scale were assessed by calculating alpha-Cronbach coefficient and Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Concurrent validity was examined by the correlation between the scores of the Farsi MAF and the WHO-5.Result:The mean of Global Fatigue Index (GFI) was 20.33±12.7. The EFA on 15 items confirmed the one-factor structure proposed by Belza. Alpha Cronbach coefficient for the Farsi MAF was 0.957. Stability was confirmed by the ICC value for the GFI of 0.702. Concurrent validity was confirmed by the moderate correlation (r = .395) between the scores of the Farsi MAF and the WHO-5. Homemakers, women with a well-being score > 50, women who were happy with their pregnancies, those with a wanted pregnancy, women with night sleep ≥ 6 hour, women with a hemoglobin level > 12mg, and women with good self-perceived health had a lower level of fatigue than the other groups did.Conclusion: The Farsi MAF is a reliable and valid instrument to assess fatigue in pregnant women.