Abstract
Methodology - Two quantitative studies on AFC conducted in two Hong Kong districts—Sha Tin and Tuen Mun—were compared. A total of 801 residents aged ≥50 years were interviewed using structured questionnaires based on the WHO’s AFC criteria. District-wide differences in age-friendliness were compared on the basis of eight domain scores. Multiple linear regression was used to examine associations with demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The provision of services and amenities was also compared to help explain the difference in domain scores.
Results - Variations in mean domain scores were observed in both districts. Sha Tin showed significantly lower scores in outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, as compared with Tuen Mun. Although a significantly higher score on the housing domain was observed in Sha Tin, differences in community and health services domains were insignificant. Socio-demographic factors, such as age group, gender, area of residence, type of housing, experience of elderly care, employment status, self-rated health and income, were associated with domain scores. However, variations in services and amenities provision appeared not to be strongly associated with district-wide difference in domain scores.
Conclusions - District differences in public opinions towards age-friendly characteristics were observed in this study. Except for two of the eight domains, Sha Tin had significantly lower scores than Tuen Mun. Some socio-demographic indicators seemed predictive to the differences. Paradoxically, Sha Tin had better services and infrastructure and higher socio-economic status, but lower age-friendliness. This warrants detailed research on psychosocial factors that may influence residents’ perceptions of local environments.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e0131526 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-16 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | PLoS ONE |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2015 |
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Bibliographical note
This study was supported by the S. H. Ho Centre for Gerontology and Geriatrics (Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong), and a Direct Grant from Lingnan University, Hong Kong (grant number: DR12A2).Cite this
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Comparing the age-friendliness of different neighbourhoods using district surveys : an example from Hong Kong. / WONG, Moses; CHAU, Pui Hing; CHEUNG, Yue Lok, Francis; PHILLIPS, David Rosser; WOO, Jean.
In: PLoS ONE, Vol. 10, No. 7, e0131526, 01.07.2015, p. 1-16.Research output: Journal Publications › Journal Article (refereed)
TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparing the age-friendliness of different neighbourhoods using district surveys : an example from Hong Kong
AU - WONG, Moses
AU - CHAU, Pui Hing
AU - CHEUNG, Yue Lok, Francis
AU - PHILLIPS, David Rosser
AU - WOO, Jean
N1 - This study was supported by the S. H. Ho Centre for Gerontology and Geriatrics (Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong), and a Direct Grant from Lingnan University, Hong Kong (grant number: DR12A2).
PY - 2015/7/1
Y1 - 2015/7/1
N2 - Background - To address the age-friendliness of living environment in cities, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the “Age-friendly cities” (AFC) initiative in 2005. To date, however, no universal standard tool for assessing age-friendliness of a community has been agreed. Methodology - Two quantitative studies on AFC conducted in two Hong Kong districts—Sha Tin and Tuen Mun—were compared. A total of 801 residents aged ≥50 years were interviewed using structured questionnaires based on the WHO’s AFC criteria. District-wide differences in age-friendliness were compared on the basis of eight domain scores. Multiple linear regression was used to examine associations with demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The provision of services and amenities was also compared to help explain the difference in domain scores.Results - Variations in mean domain scores were observed in both districts. Sha Tin showed significantly lower scores in outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, as compared with Tuen Mun. Although a significantly higher score on the housing domain was observed in Sha Tin, differences in community and health services domains were insignificant. Socio-demographic factors, such as age group, gender, area of residence, type of housing, experience of elderly care, employment status, self-rated health and income, were associated with domain scores. However, variations in services and amenities provision appeared not to be strongly associated with district-wide difference in domain scores. Conclusions - District differences in public opinions towards age-friendly characteristics were observed in this study. Except for two of the eight domains, Sha Tin had significantly lower scores than Tuen Mun. Some socio-demographic indicators seemed predictive to the differences. Paradoxically, Sha Tin had better services and infrastructure and higher socio-economic status, but lower age-friendliness. This warrants detailed research on psychosocial factors that may influence residents’ perceptions of local environments.
AB - Background - To address the age-friendliness of living environment in cities, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the “Age-friendly cities” (AFC) initiative in 2005. To date, however, no universal standard tool for assessing age-friendliness of a community has been agreed. Methodology - Two quantitative studies on AFC conducted in two Hong Kong districts—Sha Tin and Tuen Mun—were compared. A total of 801 residents aged ≥50 years were interviewed using structured questionnaires based on the WHO’s AFC criteria. District-wide differences in age-friendliness were compared on the basis of eight domain scores. Multiple linear regression was used to examine associations with demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The provision of services and amenities was also compared to help explain the difference in domain scores.Results - Variations in mean domain scores were observed in both districts. Sha Tin showed significantly lower scores in outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, as compared with Tuen Mun. Although a significantly higher score on the housing domain was observed in Sha Tin, differences in community and health services domains were insignificant. Socio-demographic factors, such as age group, gender, area of residence, type of housing, experience of elderly care, employment status, self-rated health and income, were associated with domain scores. However, variations in services and amenities provision appeared not to be strongly associated with district-wide difference in domain scores. Conclusions - District differences in public opinions towards age-friendly characteristics were observed in this study. Except for two of the eight domains, Sha Tin had significantly lower scores than Tuen Mun. Some socio-demographic indicators seemed predictive to the differences. Paradoxically, Sha Tin had better services and infrastructure and higher socio-economic status, but lower age-friendliness. This warrants detailed research on psychosocial factors that may influence residents’ perceptions of local environments.
UR - http://commons.ln.edu.hk/sw_master/1765
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84938847867&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0131526&partnerID=40&md5=a8c0229ccf4e4c311b4442fe135f23e6
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0131526
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0131526
M3 - Journal Article (refereed)
C2 - 26132156
VL - 10
SP - 1
EP - 16
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 7
M1 - e0131526
ER -