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Assessing cognitive outcomes in a rural African population: Development of a neuropsychological battery in Kilifi District, Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2004

PENNY A. HOLDING ,
H. GERRY TAYLOR ,
SIDI D. KAZUNGU ,
THADEAUS MKALA ,
JOSEPH GONA ,
BERNARD MWAMUYE ,
LEONARD MBONANI  and
JIM STEVENSON
PENNY A. HOLDING
Affiliation:
KEMRI Centre for Geographic Medicine–Coast, P.O. Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, United Kingdom
H. GERRY TAYLOR
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio
SIDI D. KAZUNGU
Affiliation:
KEMRI Centre for Geographic Medicine–Coast, P.O. Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya
THADEAUS MKALA
Affiliation:
Educational Assessment and Resources Service, Kilifi District, Kilifi, Kenya
JOSEPH GONA
Affiliation:
Educational Assessment and Resources Service, Kilifi District, Kilifi, Kenya
BERNARD MWAMUYE
Affiliation:
Educational Assessment and Resources Service, Kilifi District, Kilifi, Kenya
LEONARD MBONANI
Affiliation:
Educational Assessment and Resources Service, Kilifi District, Kilifi, Kenya
JIM STEVENSON
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Abstract

The ability to measure neuropsychological outcomes in a comparable manner in different cultural groups is important if studies conducted in geographically diverse regions are to advance knowledge of disease effects and moderating influences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the application of neuropsychological test procedures developed for use in North America and Europe to children in a rural region of Kenya. Our specific aim was to determine if these methods could be adapted to a non-Western culture in a manner that would preserve test reliability and validity. Procedural modifications yielded reliable tests that were sensitive to both the sequelae of cerebral malaria and to children's social and school backgrounds. Results suggest that adaptations of existing tests can be made in such a way as to preserve their utility in measuring the cross-cultural sequelae of childhood neurological diseases. (JINS, 2004, 10, 246–260.)

Keywords

Cognitive developmentMalariaAfricaChildhood encephalopathyK-ABCNeuropsychological assessmentCross-cultural assessment
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , March 2004 , pp. 246 - 260
Copyright
© 2004 The International Neuropsychological Society

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