Evaluation of the neighborhood environment walkability scale in Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundThe development of reliable and culturally sensitive measures of attributes of the built and social environment is necessary for accurate analysis of environmental correlates of physical activity in low-income countries, that can inform international evidence-based policies and interventions in the worldwide prevention of physical inactivity epidemics. This study systematically adapted the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) for Nigeria and evaluated aspects of reliability and validity of the adapted version among Nigerian adults.MethodsThe adaptation of the NEWS was conducted by African and international experts, and final items were selected for NEWS-Nigeria after a cross-validation of the confirmatory factor analysis structure of the original NEWS. Participants (N = 386; female = 47.2%) from two cities in Nigeria completed the adapted NEWS surveys regarding perceived residential density, land use mix – diversity, land use mix – access, street connectivity, infrastructure and safety for walking and cycling, aesthetics, traffic safety, and safety from crime. Self-reported activity for leisure, walking for different purposes, and overall physical activity were assessed with the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (long version).ResultsThe adapted NEWS subscales had moderate to high test-retest reliability (ICC range 0.59 –0.91). Construct validity was good, with residents of high-walkable neighborhoods reporting significantly higher residential density, more land use mix diversity, higher street connectivity, more traffic safety and more safety from crime, but lower infrastructure and safety for walking/cycling and aesthetics than residents of low-walkable neighborhoods. Concurrent validity correlations were low to moderate (r = 0.10 –0.31) with residential density, land use mix diversity, and traffic safety significantly associated with most physical activity outcomes.ConclusionsThe NEWS-Nigeria demonstrated acceptable measurement properties among Nigerian adults and may be useful for evaluation of the built environment in Nigeria. Further adaptation and evaluation in other African countries is needed to create a version that could be used throughout the African region.

“Can we walk?” Environmental supports for physical activity in India

“…85 Low-income populations are financially constrained in choosing activity-friendly alternatives such as living in a safer neighborhood, purchasing a gym membership, paying a fee to access a recreation center, or procuring services that afford time for PA such as housecleaning or childcare. 86,87 Overall, these variations in leisure and travel PA are consistent with previous research in LMICs such as Nigeria, 70 Brazil, 71,[88][89][90] Columbia, 83,91,92 Bangladesh, 60,93 and Sri Lanka. 94 A comparison of travel PA between the high-SES neighborhoods showed that a higher percentage of residents in the low walkability neighborhoods reported meeting travel PA recommendations compared to high walkability neighborhoods, which is a counter-intuitive finding.…”

“…70,73 Calculations determined that 73 participants from each of the four stratified neighborhood quadrants were needed to detect a moderate-to-large effect size with more than 80% power. 74 Recruitment continued until at least 75 individuals from each quadrant had completed the surveys.…”

“…Inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants were based on IPEN protocol and studies conducted in Africa, 69,70 Brazil, 71 and China. 72 Eligibility criteria included: (i) current residents of the Chennai metropolitan area; (ii) residents for at least 6 months; (iii) 18-65 years of age; (iv) being able and willing to answer questions in English or Tamil (official language in the study region); (v) not having…”

Validation of the Perceived Neighborhood Environment Questionnaire for diabetes mellitus type 2 patients

“…The weak relationship in this construct validation has also been revealed by other studies in developing countries. [31] Similar research carried out in developed countries which uti-lize neighborhood more in daily pursuits would yield better construct validation outcomes. [33] The known-group validity analysis was based on groups of complications and administered drugs.…”

“…A similar case was found in the validation of the questionnaire regarding neighborhood situations among the population of Nigeria. [31] For future surveys, these questions will still be used, as they relate to the psychological state of diabetes patients, especially security and convenience in practicing daily physical activities as a part of a series of efforts to maintain their lifestyle.…”