Adaptation for Brazilian Portuguese of a scale to measure willingness to wear condoms.

INTRODUCTION We describe the process of translation and adaptation into Brazilian Portuguese of the Stages of Change for Condom Use, developed at the University of Rhode Island, USA. The scale aims to evaluate the readiness to wear condoms based on the Stages of Change model. The goal of this study was to translate, perform the necessary adaptations and evaluate the applicability of the scale in Brazilian Portuguese. METHOD A first Portuguese version of the scale, complying with internationally accepted criteria for transcultural adaptation of instruments, was applied to 15 individuals who differed regarding their sociodemographic variables. RESULTS adjustments were needed in order to render the adaptation viable, what allowed to obtain the final version of the Stages of Change for Condom Use. Subjects of this sample demonstrated good acceptance and understanding of the items presented in the scale. CONCLUSION The utilization of the scale with individuals of different sociodemographic strata enabled the necessary adaptations to the Brazilian sociocultural reality and to the level of understanding of ordinary individuals.