Suchergebnisse

Purpose. To assess environmental correlates of neighborhood recreational walking. Design. The study used a cross-sectional survey. Setting. The study was conducted in the local community. Subjects. Participants were adults who recently relocated and walk for recreation in their current neighborhood. Measures. The outcome measure was participant-reported neighborhood recreational walking in participants' prior neighborhood. Exposure measures were (1) participant-reported social and environmental characteristics of the prior neighborhood and (2) geographic information system–derived environmental characteristics assessed within a buffer around participant's prior address. Analysis. Participants reporting current neighborhood recreational walking (n = 231) were characterized by whether they walked for recreation in their prior neighborhood. Associations between neighborhood characteristics and neighborhood recreational walking were assessed using logistic regression. Results. Neighborhood recreational walking was associated with perceptions of the presence of recreational facilities (odds ratio [OR] = 2.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29–4.84), interesting things to see (OR = 2.82, 95% CI = 1.46–5.45), and others being active (OR = 3.56, 95% CI = 1.80–7.05), and was inversely associated with concerns about crime (OR= .40, 95% CI= .20–.77) and traffic (OR = .43, 95% CI = .22–.87). This behavior was associated with objectively measured presence of walking trails (OR = 3.58, 95% CI = 1.07–4.46), percentage of street length with speed limits ≤25 mph (OR= 1.31 for 10% increase, 95% CI= 1.08–1.61), and percentage of tree canopy coverage (OR= 1.55 for 10% increase, 95% CI = 1.12–2.14). Conclusion. Recreational walking may be influenced by environmental factors that support a safe, enjoyable, and social experience, attributes that are not necessarily prioritized in transportation walking. Outcome and exposure specificity are important when studying recreational walking.

In an effort to understand factors influencing the implementation and outcomes of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program in Texas, interviews were conducted in 2014 with 34 community- and state-level stakeholders involved in the 2007 SRTS grant program. Participants were asked a series of multiple-choice and open-ended questions about SRTS program planning, implementation, and sustainability. Transcribed responses were organized and grouped according to thematic elements using standard qualitative methods. Results indicate the SRTS program was perceived as beneficial by providing funds for both infrastructure and education projects. Although most community representatives reported accomplishments toward planned goals (improved infrastructure and perceived increase in active commuting), many had significant challenges including lack of communication and up-front funding, and difficulty navigating the regulatory process. Future SRTS programs should be structured to be more compatible with community-based needs and limitations, provide adequate underlying infrastructure and resources, and include at least partial funding up-front.

This study sought to identify individual-level determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). An online population-based survey was distributed in English and Spanish. Data were derived from 1208 U.S. adults (52% female; 38.7% minorities), 43.5% of whom reported vaccine hesitancy. Multivariable analysis revealed that unemployed individuals were more likely (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.16–2.73, p = 0.009) and married (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.39–0.81, p = 0.002) and higher income individuals (OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.32–0.84, p = 0.008) were less likely to be hesitant. Individuals with greater perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71–0.94, p = 0.006), who perceived vaccination as being convenient (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.74–1.00, p = 0.047), and who afforded greater importance to cues to action from government (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.74–0.95, p = 0.005), public health (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.59–0.82, p < 0.001), and healthcare experts (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.50–0.69, p < 0.001) were also less likely to be hesitant. Findings suggest that HBM and TPB constructs may be useful in informing strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Specifically, framing appeals based on perceptions of COVID-19 susceptibility, making vaccination convenient, and rebuilding trust through unified cues to action may help to overcome vaccine hesitancy.