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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

A GIS based approach to neighbourhood physical environment and walking among adults in Colombo municipal council area, Sri Lanka

Authors: Shreenika De Silva Weliange, Dulitha Fernando, Shanthi Withanage, Jagath Gunatilake

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Physical Activity (PA) promotes health and wellbeing and walking is one of the easiest and commonest way to incorporate activity into everyday life. This study examined the association between the objectively measured neighbourhood physical environment and walking among the adults in Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area in Sri Lanka.

Methods

A cross sectional study was carried out and primary data collection carried out to assess walking, socio-demographic characteristics and geo location of residence. Secondary data was obtained to assess neighbourhood environment from existing spatially referenced data from the survey department of Sri Lanka. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used to calculate density measures (residential density, land use, connectivity and access) and distance measures, which were then correlated with walking.

Results

A sample consisted of 284 adults aged 29–59 years with a mean age of 40.6 (SD,10.9) years. The total mean minutes walked a week was 175.8 min with a standard deviation of 214.0. The mean and the standard deviations of walking per week for transportation and leisure were 158.4 (SD,196.6) and 17.5 (SD,70.1) respectively. Residential density measures, building foot print area, length of major roads, number of intersections, number of bus stops, and distance to nearest major roads showed significant moderate degree of correlations with total minutes of walked per week, (p < 0.001). These results were similar with walking for transportation.

Conclusion

There is indication that neighbourhood features are associated with walking among the adults in the CMC area using secondary data on physical environment. This paves way for further exploration to understand the relationship between neighbourhood physical environment and walking which could be used for effective interventions to promote walking.

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Title: A GIS based approach to neighbourhood physical environment and walking among adults in Colombo municipal council area, Sri Lanka
Authors: Shreenika De Silva Weliange
Dulitha Fernando
Shanthi Withanage
Jagath Gunatilake
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10983-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

A GIS based approach to neighbourhood physical environment and walking among adults in Colombo municipal council area, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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