Translation, feasibility, and construct validity of a German version of the Stakeholders Walkability/Wheelability Audit in neighbourhoods in older adults

Introduction The 13-item Stakeholders Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighbourhoods (SWAN13) measures the extent to which characteristics of the neighbourhood environment (street/sidewalk functionality, safety, appearance/maintenance, social aspects) support the ability to walk around (with assistive mobility device) from an individual's perception. The aim of this study was to translate the SWAN13 into German and evaluate its feasibility and construct validity in older adults. Methods The SWAN13 was translated using the forward-backward translation method. Fifty community-dwelling older adults (age = 79 ± 5 years, female: n = 37, 74%) living in urban areas were interviewed with the SWAN13. Feasibility was assessed based on the compliance rate and floor and ceiling effects, and construct validity by testing ten a priori hypotheses on associations of the SWAN13 with personal (life-space mobility, physical function, fear of falling, fall history, use of assistive mobility devices) and environmental factors (social network, traffic [crash] characteristics). Results A completion rate of 100% and no floor or ceiling effects were observed. Nine of ten (90%) a priori hypotheses were confirmed, showing significant associations of the SWAN13 with life-space mobility (ρ = 0.362, p = 0.010), physical function (ρ = |0.341-0.431|, p = 0.002-0.015), fear of falling (ρ = −0.548, p ≤ 0.001), use of assistive mobility devices (rpb = −0.373, p = 0.008), social network (ρ = 0.287, p = −0.043), and path area (ρ = 0.422, p = 0.002) and pedestrian-involved traffic crashes (ρ = −0.306, p = 0.031) in the residential city. Conclusion The German version of the SWAN13 is a feasible and valid instrument for assessing perceived neighbourhood walkability in urban-living older adults.