(P32-008-23) Validation of the 24-Hour Perceived Exertion Recall Survey (PERS) in Women in Rural Tigray, Ethiopia

Objectives: This study used accelerometry to validate two in-person questionnaires, the global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ) and the 24-hour perceived exertion recall survey (PERS).

Methods: This study recruited 180 women aged 18 and 45 years living in rural Tigray, Ethiopia. Participants had previously participated in an impact evaluation of a public works safety net. They wore an accelerometer for eight days and responded to perceived exertion questionnaires twice. Data was collected on 89 women during the short rainy period and 91 women during the main rainy season. A survey method was considered valid if the proportion of time spent in moderate and vigorous physical activity levels (MVPA) had a Pearson’s correlation coefficient > 0.40 to the proportion of time spent in MVPA recorded by accelerometry.

Results: The GPAQ had high reliability, but the overall validity was poorer than accelerometry. The proportion of time spent in MVPA according to the accelerometer was associated with discordance between GPAQ and accelerometry. Moderate and vigorous physical activity, as measured by the 24-hour PERS, had a fair agreement with accelerometry. The agreement increased to moderate/acceptable when adjusted for season and body mass index (BMI).

Conclusions: The 24-hour PERS is a valid tool for estimating physical activity in women living in rural highland Ethiopia. It can be used in future research to understand the physical activity demands of living in rural highland Ethiopia, enabling more targeted programs to address undernutrition.

Funding Sources: National Institutes of Health