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Gordon C.1, Dawes M.1, Newell C.1, Thomas S.1, Porter R.1
1The University of the West Indies, Section of Physical Therapy- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Kingston, Jamaica
Background: The health benefits of regular physical activity are well documented. Despite this, many persons do not meet the recommended levels which increase their risk of developing chronic non-communicable diseases. Efforts to improve physical activity can be aided by examining factors that may influence physical activity. Neighbourhood walkability is a measure of the extent to which neighbourhood attributes promote walking. Studies have been done which show significant associations between physical activity and the built environment but have been confined mostly to developed countries. Findings from these countries do not necessarily generalize to developing countries like Jamaica.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between perceived neighbourhood walkability and physical activity level in 2 urban communities in Jamaica.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was done. Two questionnaires- Neighbourhood Walkability Scale-Abbreviated (NEWS-A) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were administered to 166 residents of 2 communities in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew. Mean scores on the sub-scales of the NEWS-A were compared between communities using a t-test. Mean scores on the sub-scales of the NEWS-A were compared across physical activity levels from the IPAQ using a oneway ANOVA.
Results: Mean age of the total sample was 34.67 (15.73) years; 51.8% was male and 48.2% female; 30% was inactive. A favourable perception of walkability was observed in the total sample for: land use mixaccess (mean=3.17), infrastructure for walking/cycling (mean=3.10) and safety from crime (mean=1.89). A larger percentage of persons in the Mona Heights community was inactive compared to the Harbour View community (p .001). Harbour View residents had significantly higher scores (more favourable) on perception of residential density (p=.001), land use mix- access (p=.013) and infrastructure for walking/cycling (p=.006). Harbour View residents also had significantly lower (more favourable) scores for perception of traffic hazards (p=.018), crime safety (p .001) and physical barriers (p .001). In the Mona Heights community none of the walkability variables was significantly related to physical activity. In the Harbour View community a higher (better) mean score on perception of land use mix-access was seen in those who were highly active compared to those who were inactive (p=.012) and lower (better) mean scores on perception of traffic hazards and crime safety in those who were highly active compared to those who were inactive (p=.015 and .039 respectively).
Conclusion(s): There was a better perception of neighbourhood walkability by residents of Harbour View compared to residents of Mona Heights. Physical activity level was positively related to neighbourhood walkability only in Harbour View.
Implications: Improving physical environment attributes should be a focus for health promotion activities in urban communities in order to encourage physical activity. More research is needed covering a wider cross-section of urban communities in Jamaica.
Funding acknowledgements: Funding acknowledgement: None
Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing
Ethics approval: Ethics Approval: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of the West Indies (ECP-13 15/16)
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
