Individual and Environmental Correlates to Quality of Life in Park Users in Colombia

Abstract

Purpose: To explore individual and environmental correlates to quality of life (QoL) in park users in Colombia. Methods: A cross-sectional study with face-to-face interviews was conducted with 1392 park users from ten parks in Colombia. The survey included sociodemographic questions, health condition assessed with EuroQuol-5-Dimensions-5-Levels; in addition, questions about accessibility to the parks and perceptions about quality of infrastructure and green areas were asked. The Spanish version of the questionnaire EUROHIS-QOL-8 items was applied to assess QoL. Log-binomial regression models were applied for analyses. Results: Years of schooling, visits to the park with a companion, active use of the park, a maximum score for quality of trees and walking paths, and the perception of safety on the way to the park were positively associated with a better QoL (p < 0.05). Health conditions related to problems in the ability to perform activities of daily living and anxiety/depression showed negative associations. Conclusions: The present study contributes to the Latin American studies by providing information on how parks in an intermediate city may contribute to increased QoL of park users through safety in neighborhoods, social support, active use, and aesthetics, cleanliness, and care of green areas.

Access to Urban Green Space in Cities of the Global South: A Systematic Literature Review

“…This review also informs how green space may relate to public health concerns in Global South countries, where, due to increasing urbanization [39], such challenges are multifaceted and complex. These concerns have been in part attributed to environmental stressors [39] resulting from inadequate environmental regulation and policy [120].…”

“…These concerns have been in part attributed to environmental stressors [39] resulting from inadequate environmental regulation and policy [120]. In particular, air pollution is of extreme concern in Global South cities [121], and studies found that it is linked to cardiovascular and respiratory-related mortality [122], poor maternal outcomes [123], cancer rates and immune system dysfunctions [124].…”

“…Further, establishing or improving small green spaces [20,103], also by transforming unused vacant lots [88,119], can bring significant health benefits. Indeed, small green spaces that are designed to meet resident's aesthetic preferences may provide as much psychological restoration, which improves psychological well-being and reduces stress [126], as larger green spaces [39]. In addition, when low-SES neighborhoods contain small green spaces, such green spaces might be impractical for use due to poor maintenance; thus, improved green space maintenance may increase use, perceived aesthetics, and their health benefits [39].…”

“…Indeed, small green spaces that are designed to meet resident's aesthetic preferences may provide as much psychological restoration, which improves psychological well-being and reduces stress [126], as larger green spaces [39]. In addition, when low-SES neighborhoods contain small green spaces, such green spaces might be impractical for use due to poor maintenance; thus, improved green space maintenance may increase use, perceived aesthetics, and their health benefits [39]. Ultimately, the findings of this review suggest that increased green space proximity, quantity, and quality could translate to public health benefits in Global South cities if all SES groups had equal access to it.…”

Quality of Life (QoL) Survey in Hong Kong: Understanding the Importance of Housing Environment and Needs of Residents from Different Housing Sectors

“…These contextual factors are such as rural and urban/metropolitan areas [ 9 , 10 , 11 ] and population density [ 3 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. It has been clearly shown that people’s relation to their living environments is a key issue in their quality of life [ 12 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Well-designed housing has been identified as an important factor in promoting quality of life [ 19 ].…”