Abstract

Objective: To translate and cross-culturally validate the Vocal Hygiene Protocol in urdu.
Methodology: This cross-cultural study was conducted at Riphah International University from November 2022 to 30 April 2023. The study utilized a sample of 50 persons with voice complaints from the general population, teachers of Riphah International University and Madrassa students. Original English Vocal Hygiene Protocol was translated in Urdu using the WHO guidelines including pilot testing. The final Urdu version was then tested for validity and internal consistency. The developed scale was analyzed for reliability and validity by SPSS 27.
Results: The Vocal Hygiene Protocol Urdu (VHP-U) revealed a high internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.975 and Content Validity Index S-CVI of 0.945, and I-CVI for relevance was 0.95, clarity of 0.87, simplicity of 0.96, and ambiguity 0.95 and CVR was 1 for all items, which indicate a good validity.
Conclusion: VHP-U is a valid and reliable tool for managing voice concerns in populations with Urdu as their first language. It is culturally equivalent to the original version of VHP.

Key words: Cultural competency, reliability, Vocal Hygiene Protocol, voice disorder, voice fatigue.