Why LSCAT-MH
LSCAT-MH was developed to measure individual social capital in pregnancy. It was developed to address the gap of unavailability of a specific tool to measure social capital of pregnant women in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). It is an extensive adaptation of the Social Capital Assessment Tool developed by the World Bank in 1999 and the Adapted Social Capital Assessment Tool, which was developed by the South Bank University, UK (2001). 

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English version

Sinhalese version

Please cite this tool as : Agampodi TC, Agampodi SB, Glozier N, Siribaddana S, Development and validation of the Social Capital Assessment Tool in pregnancy for Maternal Health in Low and middle income countries (LSCAT-MH) BMJ Open 2019;9:e027781. 

Why LSCAT-MH?
LSCAT-MH is developed to measure individual social capital in pregnancy. It was developed to address the gap of unavailability of a specific tool to measure social capital of pregnant women in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). It is an extensive adaptation of the Social Capital Assessment Tool developed by the World Bank in 1999 and the Adapted Social Capital Assessment Tool, which was developed by the South Bank University, UK (2001). 

LSCAT-MH structure
LSCAT-MH includes 24 items to measure different aspects of social capital during pregnancy. Of these, part A assesses cognitive social capital (11 items) and part B, structural social capital (13 items).  Scoring of LSCAT-MH is performed in a 1-5 point scale for each item enumerating a total maximum score of 120. Association with the outcome variable could be tested either using the total score as a continuous variable or by comparing the quartiles of the total score.

LSCAT-MH development
LSCAT-MH was developed on the basis of a systematic review to identify the best tools available for LMICs and an extensive qualitative study, which was conducted in eight different communities of Sri Lanka. The tool has undergone cognitive validation and possess structural and construct validity depicting a four factor model in factor analysis representing cognitive and structural as well as bonding and bridging dimensions of social capital. It possesses high internal consistency and test retest reliability.

Use of LSCAT-MH
LSCAT-MH can be applied to semi urban –rural contexts of LMICs, though cultural adaptation to the new context is always recommended as in all SCAT tools. It has the potential to be used as a measure of social capital of women and postpartum women after proper cultural adaptation.