Physical Amenities Research Articles

Exploring views on communal amenities and well-being in housing for seniors in Taiwan

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to learn views from healthcare practitioners and the general public for housing communal amenities that could best support senior well-being for ageing in place. The literature review identified 30 popular communal amenities and was tested via a questionnaire survey conducted in Taiwan. Participants (N = 759) evaluated the importance level of the proposed amenities with five-point Likert scale. Data were analysed with Friedman Ranking Test and Kruskal–Wallis test. Results showed that both respondent groups placed outdoor open space, trail and garden with seat as top three important amenities, where outdoor and multifunction were the spatial and functional qualities. While the general public believed physical category amenities were more important, healthcare practitioners put emphasis on social and spiritual categories. Within the general public group, respondents aged 65 years and older had different views than younger respondents on dog run area, BBQ areas and video game room. Swimming pool and religious space were viewed as an important amenity by respondents from different regions. It was concluded that in Taiwan, views may differ with upbringing and cultural backgrounds, residing regions and age. The initial findings can assist policymakers, real estate developers and designers for decision-making in future housing projects.

Assessment of Town and Park Characteristics Related to Physical Activity in the Lower Mississippi Delta.

IntroductionOur objective was to determine aspects of the built environment that may have contributed to the low levels of physical activity reported in both the gestational and postnatal periods by women participating in a diet and physical activity intervention in the rural Lower Mississippi Delta.MethodsThe built environments of 12 towns were measured by using the Rural Active Living Assessment tools and the Community Park Audit Tool. Correlations between town assessment scores and town size variables were computed by using Kendall τ coefficient. The street distance from a participant’s home address to the nearest park was computed by using network analysis in ArcGIS.ResultsRural Active Living Assessment scores were low with mean values between 0% (town policy) and 68% (parks and playgrounds) of the highest possible scores. The mean (standard deviation) number of parks per town was 2.6 (3.2), and 55% of the 31 parks were in the 2 largest towns. Most parks (87%) had a single amenity while 1 park had more than 4 amenities. Distance from a participant’s home to the nearest park ranged from less than 0.1 to 8.8 miles (mean [standard deviation], 1.2 [1.8]).ConclusionThese 12 Lower Mississippi Delta towns scored low on assessments of physical environment features and amenities, town characteristics, and programs and policies associated with physical activity in rural communities. To increase the physical activity levels of rural residents, it may be necessary to first improve the built environment in which they live.

Avaliação da qualidade das áreas verdes urbanas de Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil

The green areas have been identified as fundamental elements for sustainability in the urban area, functioning not only as physical amenities but also as elements of spatial appreciation. However, it is considered that its mere presence is not enough to achieve the needs of the inhabitants. In this paper, we present a methodology for qualitatively evaluating green urban areas by means of a composite index, which considers three sub-indexes: Environmental Function, Social Function, and Aesthetic Function. Each sub-index contains three indicators that allow tracing the profile of green areas, pointing out their frailties and possible intervention areas. Ponta Grossa has a low index of 0.38 (environmental=0.21; social=0.57; aesthetic=0.45, however, more than the meaning of a numerical value, the potentiality of this index resides in the identification of which function is unsuitable, in this case, the environmental one.

Natural Environmental Amenities and House Rentals: A Hedonic Analysis for Integrated Planning

Environmental valuation techniques have been used in quantifying the influences of environmental amenities on house prices. The hedonic approach is used to evaluate contributions of environmental amenities to rents in this study. Though the theme of this study has attracted pedagogical attention, the comparison between man-made and natural environmental amenities in housing values is a nouvelle approach in identifying and explaining effective demand and value systems of urban and natural amenities through market evidence. It extends existing body of literature on hedonic studies in Nigeria by contextually assessing these two broad categories of environmental amenities on the same scale. Results reveal the variations in demand and significance of physical infrastructure and natural amenities in rents. This /study's significance lies in bringing to light, the realities of market demand for natural amenities in comparison with physical infrastructure

Where science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates move: Human capital, employment patterns, and interstate migration in the United States.

This research investigates the interstate migration of workers in the United States who have earned an undergraduate STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) degree compared with those who have not. We build on previous studies that (a) classified "skilled" workers as having earned an undergraduate degree (b) used net migration gain or loss as a yardstick of relative destination attraction, and (c) advanced the idea that physical amenities play an outsized role in labour market preferences for skilled workers. We calibrate the attractivity of states for three levels of human capital and then evaluate these assessments of relative attractivity to show that workers with different types of human capital respond to different labour market signals in contradictory ways. Amenity, measured by heating degree days, has little to do with the state-to-state migration of workers who have a STEM degree, yet helps explain the migration patterns of workers with no undergraduate degree. Employment growth in a state influences migration for degreed workers in the recessionary years but not in the period of recovery. The opposite holds for workers without a degree. States with high percentages of any type of degreed workers attract both STEM and non-STEM degreed migrants but not those without a degree. States with a large share of STEM degreed workers in their degreed workforce are especially attractive for STEM degreed migrants. The conclusions discuss what the findings imply about diverging access to labour market opportunity by human capital and state higher education policy.

Household Food and Nutrient Intake of Semai Aborigines of Peninsular Malaysia

Background: Malaysia is experiencing nutrition transition currently whereby the spectrum of nutrition is shifting from malnutrition towards overweight and obesity. The indigenous population of Malaysia continues to be in a state of poverty which apparently affects their food and nutrient intake. Methods: A total of 462 households with 2367 inhabitants irrespective of age and physiologic group were selected from 40 village zones spread along seven districts of Perak by population proportion to size sampling. The demographic, socio-economic, educational status and availability of physical amenities were collected through a pre-tested questionnaire. Food and nutrient intake was assessed by twenty-four-hour recall method on all members of households. All results were presented as mean values and percentages. Results: 71% of the families live below Poverty Level Incomes. Only 34% of men and 31% of women had received formal education. The Semai aborigines could meet only 70% of their energy needs. Cereals and pulses (92.5% of RNI) formed the major dietaries. Insufficient intake of green leafy vegetables (<50% of RNI), fruits (30% of RNI) and dairy products (15% of RNI) marked poor dietary diversity. Less than 50% of mean intake were recorded for vitamin A (14%), riboflavin (33.51%), iron (41%) and iodine (49%). Inadequate education, fewer employment, poor sanitary conditions, poor choices and unavailability of nutrient rich foods are the major factors that contribute to poor dietary diversity. The intervention and supplementation programs have not reached the marginalized community alike especially those residing in interior of forest fringes. Application: Nutrition education and empowerment in terms of education and employment can revert the current situation. Keywords: Food Pattern, Nutrient Intake, Malaysia, Orang Asli, Semai

Motivating the workforce: beyond the 'two-factor' model.

Objective The aim of the present study was to understand the factors motivating health and human services professionals in the workplace, thus adding to the body of knowledge associated with employee motivation. Methods Brainstorming research was performed on frontline and emerging managers in Tasmanian public sector organisations. Coding categories were inductively developed from the data, then deductively analysed using Herzberg's two-factor model. Results Communication was the most significant factor affecting staff motivation. When described as 'good', it was open, honest, appropriate and timely. Emotional factors, including a sense of being respected and valued, were also highly regarded. Material resources, such as budgets, staffing and physical amenities, were the third most cited factor affecting workforce motivation. Conclusions Contrary to most previous research, the present study found that some factors - like communication or resources - could be a source of satisfaction and dissatisfaction, depending on whether they supported the individual and the team. The research method chosen in the present study differed from most using the two-factor model in that it did not use closed survey questions. The breadth of these results reflects the ability to provide a more nuanced response. What is known about the topic? Professionals working in health and human services have a high degree of authority and autonomy. Increasing staff motivation has the potential to positively influence organisational and individual outcomes. What does this paper add? This paper provides greater insight into factors increasing staff motivation. It also suggests methodological improvements for studies using the two-factor model. What are the implications for practitioners? The insights into staff motivation may be used by employers to improve outcomes and increase workforce satisfaction.

Beyond the artisanal mining site: migration, housing capital accumulation and indirect urbanization in East Africa

ABSTRACTDuring the past 30 years, Tanzania has experienced successive precious mineral rushes led by artisanal miners. Their settlement, livelihood and housing strategies have evolved amidst high mobility in pursuit of mineral wealth. Cumulatively, the spatial movement of artisanal miners and an associated following of economically motivated migrant service providers have catalysed large-scale “direct urbanization” at artisanal mine sites-cum-small towns. These settlements have been generally characterized by relatively makeshift accommodation, which may mask accumulated savings of in situ earnings for housing investment elsewhere. In this article, in addition to documenting the mine-led direct urbanization process, we draw attention to a subsequent “indirect urbanization” phenomenon, whereby many successful artisanal miners and other entrepreneurial mining settlement residents make strategic house building investments in larger towns and cities. In anticipation of declining mineral yields and retirement from days of “roughing it” in mining sites, they endeavour to channel savings into housing in more urbanized locations, aiming to diversify into profitable business activities, living a life with better physical and social amenities. Their second-wave onward migration from mine sites encompasses more diverse destinations, particularly regional towns and cities, which accommodate their work and family life cycle needs and lifestyle preferences. Such mine-led direct and indirect urbanization processes arise from sequential migration decision-making of participants in Tanzania’s artisanal mining sector. In this article, we interrogate mining settlement residents’ locational choices on the basis of fieldwork survey findings from four artisanal gold and diamond mining settlements in Tanzania’s mineral-rich regions of Geita, Mwanza and Shinyanga, and from in-depth interviews with miners-cum-entrepreneurs residing in Mwanza, Tanzania’s second largest city, situated in the heart of Tanzania’s gold fields.

Multiculturalism in Healthcare: A Review of Current Research into Diversity Found in the Healthcare Professional Population and the Patient Population

Culture plays a key role in the way health is perceived and the way healthcare is used. It has been seen that there are many barriers to accessing healthcare, particularly for those who come to the UK with a different background language, religion and healthcare structure. A literature review and content analysis has been performed using 60 articles, selected from the databases PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, in order to expose how diverse the patient and healthcare professional population truly are, the number of barriers to healthcare and how one can improve access to become culturally competent. Although this is only a small sample of the material present, it is evident that at the present time physical amenities such as having a translator present, as well the training of the healthcare professionals to be able to make the most of the situation and see the patients in a holistic and biopsychosocial approach, reveal an important area to focus more on in practice as well as in research. Thus an increased availability of resources and training needs to be made available for both patients and healthcare professionals in order to ensure competence in accessing healthcare services

The interaction between physical activity and obesity gene variants in association with BMI: Does the obesogenic environment matter?

Little is known about how obesity susceptibility single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) interact with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in relation to BMI during adolescence, once obesogenic neighborhood factors are accounted for. In race stratified models, including European (EA; N=4977), African (AA; N=1726), and Hispanic Americans (HA; N=1270) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (1996; ages 12–21), we assessed the evidence for a SNPxMVPA interaction with BMI-for-age Z score, once accounting for obesogenic neighborhood factors including physical activity amenities, transportation and recreation infrastructure, poverty and crime. Eight SNPxMVPA interactions with suggestive significance (p<0.10; three in each EA, and AA, two in HA) were observed showing attenuation on BMI-for-age Z score in adolescents with ≥5 versus <5 bouts/week MVPA, except for rs10146997 (near NRXN3). Findings were robust to the inclusion of neighborhood-level variables as covariates. These findings suggest that any attenuation from MVPA on a genetic susceptibility to obesity during adolescence is likely not operating through obesogenic neighborhood factors.

From lost space to third place: The visitor's perspective

Although studies on place attachment in tourism have expanded greatly during the past decade, most have focused on nature-based settings, thereby neglecting the social dimension of place. The triadic relationship of activity involvement, place attachment, and visitor loyalty has received limited attention. In response, we investigated visitors' attachment to activities and settings within cultural creative districts (CCDs) in a manufacturing hub of China, with the aim to advance the theory of place attachment and elucidate geographic and psychological factors that can affect visitor experience. Results of an onsite questionnaire (n = 252) indicated that: 1) activity involvement positively affected place attachment; 2) attraction and social bonding were strong predictors of visitor loyalty. We identified a more effective way to implement CCDs as part of urban-regeneration strategies—namely, to become visitors' favourite third places, CCDs need to offer high-quality social encounters with a suitable mix of physical, cultural, and entertainment amenities.

Can social media be used as a hospital quality improvement tool?

Many hospitals wish to improve their patients' experience of care. To learn whether social media could be used as a tool to engage patients and to identify opportunities for hospital quality improvement (QI), we solicited patients' narrative feedback on the Baystate Medical Center Facebook page during a 3-week period in 2014. Two investigators used directed qualitative content analysis to code comments and descriptive statistics to assess the frequency of selected codes and themes. We identified common themes, including: (1) comments about staff (17/37 respondents, 45.9%); (2) comments about specific departments (22/37, 59.5%); (3) comments on technical aspects of care, including perceived errors and inattention to pain control (9/37, 24.3%); and (4) comments describing the hospital physical plant, parking, and amenities (9/37, 24.3%). A small number (n = 3) of patients repeatedly responded, accounting for 30% (45/148) of narratives. Although patient feedback on social media could help to drive hospital QI efforts, any potential benefits must be weighed against the reputational risks, the lack of representativeness among respondents, and the volume of responses needed to identify areas of improvement.

Marriage and parenthood in relation to obesogenic neighborhood trajectories: The CARDIA study

Marriage and parenthood are associated with weight gain and residential mobility. Little is known about how obesity-relevant environmental contexts differ according to family structure. We estimated trajectories of neighborhood poverty, population density, and density of fast food restaurants, supermarkets, and commercial and public physical activity facilities for adults from a biracial cohort (CARDIA, n=4,174, aged 25–50) over 13 years (1992–93 through 2005–06) using latent growth curve analysis. We estimated associations of marriage, parenthood, and race with the observed neighborhood trajectories. Married participants tended to live in neighborhoods with lower poverty, population density, and availability of all types of food and physical activity amenities. Parenthood was similarly but less consistently related to neighborhood characteristics. Marriage and parenthood were more strongly related to neighborhood trajectories in whites (versus blacks), who, in prior studies, exhibit weaker associations between neighborhood characteristics and health. Greater understanding of how interactive family and neighborhood environments contribute to healthy living is needed.

Impact of Land alienation, Displacement and Migration on livelihood and its response through Resettlement and Rehabilitation

Development is a phenomenon which is based on equitable opportunity of people to livelihood. As envisaged, development-induced displacement and resettlement in India focusses more on physical amenities‘ availability rather than social, cultural milieu for displaced people, this question always arises whether it is leading to empowerment of masses. The displacement and land alienation brings upheaval in the livelihood pattern of the individuals. Rehabilitation is a process needed by both the Displaced People and the Project Affected Persons. Therefore, this paper seeks to explore the impact of land alienation, displacement, migration on livelihood and tackling of these issues through some good practices of Resettlement and Rehabilitation.

Active living environment assessments in four rural Latino communities.

ObjectiveLatinos and rural residents are less active and have a greater prevalence of overweight/obesity compared with their non-Latino white and urban counterparts. The objective of this study was to assess the active living environment in four rural, predominantly Latino communities.MethodsAssessments were taken using the Rural Active Living Assessment (RALA) in four rural predominantly Latino communities in Central Washington from September–November 2013. Street Segment Assessments of town center, thoroughfare, neighborhood and school zones were assessed for features related to walkability. Physical activity amenities, programs and policies in each town were assessed. Scores were generated for amenities, programs and policies. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression.ResultsA total of 103 segments were assessed. Sidewalks in good condition were present in 32% of segments and shoulders in 44% of segments. Half of street segments were rated as walkable. Parks and playgrounds were available; however, half of these were rated in poor condition. All four districts offered after school physical activity programming but only two had a late bus option.ConclusionsThese four rural towns have some policies, programming and infrastructure in place that support active living. The information from the RALA can be used to inform program and policy development to enhance physical activity in these rural communities.

Leisure negotiation within amenity migration

Amenity migration is typically defined as the migration to places of extra-ordinary physical, recreational and cultural amenities. While much has been written about the impacts of amenity migration little is known about the experience of amenity migrants at the destination, and specifically how they negotiate for what is arguably their primary aim, leisure. The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of the how amenity migrants negotiate for their leisure and how the broader leisure negotiation process changes the physical attributes and character of the tourism destination. The paper reports on a grounded theory, inter-disciplinary study of the human-environment relationship within a high amenity destination resulting in the empirically based model, Leisure Negotiation within Amenity Migration.

Contextual Influences on Weight Status Among Impoverished Adolescents: Neighborhood Amenities for Physical Activity and State Laws for Physical Education Time Requirements.

This study examines the relationship between state laws for physical education and neighborhood amenities for physical activity on weight status in adolescents of low socioeconomic status. Data from 2 national data sources: Classification of Laws Associated with School Students (CLASS) and the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) were combined and analyzed. Multinomial regression models found that adolescents in states with strong PE law were associated with a lower odds of being obese [OR = 0.63 (0.41, 0.97)]; however, when PE law and neighborhood amenities were included, only neighborhood amenities were associated with lower odds of obesity, but also greater odds of overweight status. This study emphasizes the potential significance of state laws on low SES groups to combat obesity; as well as the potential differential effects of local level factors, and alignment with policy goals for healthy weight.

Ensuring Rural Livelihood Security through MGNREGA: A Study in District Mewat, Haryana

The present development mandate in India is to ensure livelihood security as a legitimate policy commitment. This perspective is well rooted and reflected in the design of MGNREGA. The foregoing paper based on a field study conducted in Mewat, a backward district of Haryana, analyses the livelihoods context in selected villages and determines the effectiveness of this Act within wider livelihood strategies of rural poor. A concurrent mixed method research design has been used and perspectives from different stakeholders have been taken into account. The livelihoods analysis has yielded information on a plethora of constraints in terms of inadequacy of physical infrastructure, amenities, human and natural capital in the study area. The potential of this Act though found incipient, but the findings are also suggestive of the change it can bring to the rural edifice of this district, provided livelihoods oriented interventions are carried out in a participatory and sustainable manner.

Understanding quality of life in a northern, rural climate

The availability of community amenities, including physical, social, and service amenities, is expected to add to the quality of life (QOL) of residents. The study had 1417 residents of northern New England rate the availability and importance of 18 amenities in their community and also rate their QOL. Multivariate analysis found that accounting for amenity importance mediates the impact on QOL of amenity availability. In most cases, these estimates are biased upward. Implications for community development include the need to account for residents' perceptions of the importance of amenities before concluding that a community needs more of something in order to improve residents' QOL.

Child, Family, and Neighborhood Associations with Parent and Peer Interactive Play During Early Childhood

To examine national patterns of peer and parent interactive play opportunities that enhance early learning/socialization. Bivariate and multivariable analyses of cross-sectional data on 22,797 children aged 1-5 years from the National Survey of Children's Health 2007 were performed to determine the child, family, and neighborhood factors associated with four parent-initiated activities. Outcomes measures included time (days/week) children spent: participating in peer play; being read to; sung to/told stories; and taken on family outings. Covariates included race/ethnicity, poverty, TV watching, childcare, child and maternal physical and mental health, family factors (structure, size, language, stress, education), and neighborhood factors (amenities, support, physical condition, safety). According to adjusted regression models, minority children from lower income, non-English-speaking households with limited education, poorer maternal health and greater parenting stress were read to/told stories less than children without these characteristics, while neighborhood factors exerted less influence. In contrast, significant reductions in days/week of peer play were associated with unsupportive neighborhoods and those with the poorest physical conditions and limited amenities. Likewise, reductions in outings were associated with fewer neighborhood amenities. The findings of this study indicate that a variety of child, family, and neighborhood factors are associated with parent-initiated behaviors such as reading, storytelling, peer interactive play, and family outings. Appropriate evidence-based home visiting interventions targeting child health, parenting skills, early childhood education, and social services in at-risk communities would appear to be appropriate vehicles for addressing such parent-initiated play activities that have the potential to enhance development.