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Journal of Urban Health
Published in: Journal of Urban Health 5/2014

Open Access 01-10-2014

External Built Residential Environment Characteristics that Affect Mental Health of Adults

Authors: Charles Ochodo, D. M. Ndetei, W. N. Moturi, J. O. Otieno

Published in: Journal of Urban Health | Issue 5/2014

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Abstract

External built residential environment characteristics include aspects of building design such as types of walls, doors and windows, green spaces, density of houses per unit area, and waste disposal facilities. Neighborhoods that are characterized by poor quality external built environment can contribute to psychosocial stress and increase the likelihood of mental health disorders. This study investigated the relationship between characteristics of external built residential environment and mental health disorders in selected residences of Nakuru Municipality, Kenya. External built residential environment characteristics were investigated for 544 residents living in different residential areas that were categorized by their socioeconomic status. Medically validated interview schedules were used to determine mental health of residents in the respective neighborhoods. The relationship between characteristics of the external built residential environment and mental health of residents was determined by multivariable logistic regression analyses and chi-square tests. The results show that walling materials used on buildings, density of dwelling units, state of street lighting, types of doors, states of roofs, and states of windows are some built external residential environment characteristics that affect mental health of adult males and females. Urban residential areas that are characterized by poor quality external built environment substantially expose the population to daily stressors and inconveniences that increase the likelihood of developing mental health disorders.
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Metadata
Title
External Built Residential Environment Characteristics that Affect Mental Health of Adults
Authors
Charles Ochodo
D. M. Ndetei
W. N. Moturi
J. O. Otieno
Publication date
01-10-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Urban Health / Issue 5/2014
Print ISSN: 1099-3460
Electronic ISSN: 1468-2869
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-013-9852-5

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