Development and Psychometric Validation of the Sudan Women’s Empowerment Index (SWEI-SD): Integrating Factor Analysis, Item Response Theory, and Measurement Invariance
VOLUME 23, 2026
The Role of Targeted Infra-popliteal Endovascular Angioplasty to Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using the Angiosome Model: A Systematic Review
VOLUME 6, 2023
Sara Mohamed Elhassan Taha
University College in Darb, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia and Department of Statistics – College of Science – Sudan University of Science and Technology
University College in Darb, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia and Department of Statistics – College of Science – Sudan University of Science and Technology
Khalid Rahamtalla Khider Genawi
Department of Statistics – College of Science – Sudan University of Science and Technology
Department of Statistics – College of Science – Sudan University of Science and Technology
Abstract
Background: Women’s empowerment is multidimensional and context-dependent, yet few psychometrically validated instruments are available for conflict-affected Sudan. This study developed and validated the Sudan Women’s Empowerment Index (SWEI-SD) as a culturally grounded measure of women’s agency. Methods: A cross-sectional psychometric study included 1,100 Sudanese women aged 18 years or older. An initial 42-item pool spanning seven conceptual domains was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n = 550), independent confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n = 550), bifactor modelling, graded response item response theory, local-dependence diagnostics, differential item functioning (DIF), and measurement-invariance analyses. Item reduction integrated statistical performance and conceptual coverage. Results: EFA supported three factors rather than seven distinct empirical dimensions, while bifactor analysis demonstrated strong general-factor dominance (ECV = 0.830; omega = 0.979; omega hierarchical = 0.959). All 42 items showed satisfactory discrimination and ordered thresholds. Evidence from redundancy, local dependence, item fit, DIF, invariance, and substantive coverage supported reduction to 28 items, retaining four per conceptual domain. The SWEI-SD-28 achieved EAP reliability of 0.944, mean posterior SE of 0.220, and preserved the 42-item latent ranking almost perfectly (Pearson r = 0.990; Spearman rho = 0.987). No practically meaningful DIF remained after recalibration. Among 1,019 eligible respondents, the mean 0–100 score was 54.41 (SD = 21.54). Conclusion: The SWEI-SD-28 provides a concise, reliable, and contextually appropriate measure of women’s empowerment in Sudan. External replication, longitudinal validation, and full WLSMV invariance testing are warranted before implementation
Keywords :
Empowerment, Item response theory, Measurement invariance, Psychometric validation, Sudan, Women’s agency, Women’s empowerment.
Erin Saricilar
Lecture in accounting. University of Basrah, College of Administration and Economics, Department of Accounting.
Lecture in accounting. University of Basrah, College of Administration and Economics, Department of Accounting.
Abstract
Atherosclerotic disease significantly impacts patients with type 2 diabetes, who often present with recalcitrant peripheral ulcers. The angiosome model of the foot presents an opportunity to perform direct angiosome-targeted endovascular interventions to maximise both wound healing and limb salvage. A systematic review was performed, with 17 studies included in the final review. Below-the-knee endovascular interventions present significant technical challenges, with technical success depending on the length of lesion being treated and the number of angiosomes that require treatment. Wound healing was significantly improved with direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty, as was limb salvage, with a significant increase in survival without major amputation. Indirect angioplasty, where the intervention is applied to collateral vessels to the angiosomes, yielded similar results to direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty. Applying the angiosome model of the foot in direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty improves outcomes for patients with recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers in terms of primary wound healing, mean time for complete wound healing and major amputation-free survival.
Keywords :
Diabetic foot ulcer, angiosome, angioplasty