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A comprehensive bibliometrics of 'walkability' research landscape: visualization of the scientific progress and future prospects

Ramakreshnan L, Aghamohammadi N, Fong CS, Sulaiman NM

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2021 Jan;28(2):1357-1369.
PMID: 33094458 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11305-x

This study quantitatively investigated the scientific progress of walkability research landscape and its future prospects using bibliometric indicators to highlight the research hotspots. The results accentuated multifaceted nature of walkability research landscape with a strong association towards public health disciplines. Keyword co-occurrence analysis emphasized that majority of the walkability studies centred on the interactions between walking and other three main factors such as built environment attributes, transportation and obesity. Based on the identified research hotspots, a brief state-of-the-art review of walkability studies was presented. Future prospects based on the unexplored research gaps within the hotspots were also discussed. High correlation (r = 0.99, p

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics*
Fulltext Detecting Community Structure by Using a Constrained Label Propagation Algorithm

Chin JH, Ratnavelu K

PLoS One, 2016;11(5):e0155320.
PMID: 27176470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155320

Community structure is considered one of the most interesting features in complex networks. Many real-world complex systems exhibit community structure, where individuals with similar properties form a community. The identification of communities in a network is important for understanding the structure of said network, in a specific perspective. Thus, community detection in complex networks gained immense interest over the last decade. A lot of community detection methods were proposed, and one of them is the label propagation algorithm (LPA). The simplicity and time efficiency of the LPA make it a popular community detection method. However, the LPA suffers from instability detection due to randomness that is induced in the algorithm. The focus of this paper is to improve the stability and accuracy of the LPA, while retaining its simplicity. Our proposed algorithm will first detect the main communities in a network by using the number of mutual neighbouring nodes. Subsequently, nodes are added into communities by using a constrained LPA. Those constraints are then gradually relaxed until all nodes are assigned into groups. In order to refine the quality of the detected communities, nodes in communities can be switched to another community or removed from their current communities at various stages of the algorithm. We evaluated our algorithm on three types of benchmark networks, namely the Lancichinetti-Fortunato-Radicchi (LFR), Relaxed Caveman (RC) and Girvan-Newman (GN) benchmarks. We also apply the present algorithm to some real-world networks of various sizes. The current results show some promising potential, of the proposed algorithm, in terms of detecting communities accurately. Furthermore, our constrained LPA has a robustness and stability that are significantly better than the simple LPA as it is able to yield deterministic results.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics*
Improving the health and welfare of people who live in slums

Lilford RJ, Oyebode O, Satterthwaite D, Melendez-Torres GJ, Chen YF, Mberu B, et al.

Lancet, 2017 02 04;389(10068):559-570.
PMID: 27760702 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31848-7

In the first paper in this Series we assessed theoretical and empirical evidence and concluded that the health of people living in slums is a function not only of poverty but of intimately shared physical and social environments. In this paper we extend the theory of so-called neighbourhood effects. Slums offer high returns on investment because beneficial effects are shared across many people in densely populated neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood effects also help explain how and why the benefits of interventions vary between slum and non-slum spaces and between slums. We build on this spatial concept of slums to argue that, in all low-income and-middle-income countries, census tracts should henceforth be designated slum or non-slum both to inform local policy and as the basis for research surveys that build on censuses. We argue that slum health should be promoted as a topic of enquiry alongside poverty and health.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics*
Assessing the economic value of urban green spaces in Kuala Lumpur

A Samad NS, Abdul-Rahim AS, Mohd Yusof MJ, Tanaka K

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2020 Apr;27(10):10367-10390.
PMID: 31939016 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-07593-7

This study assessed the economic value of public urban green spaces (UGSs) in Kuala Lumpur (KL) city by using the hedonic price method (HPM). It involves 1269 house units from eight sub-districts in KL city. Based on the hedonic price method, this study formulates a global and local model. The global model and local model are analyzed using ordinary least square (OLS) regression and geographically weighted regression (GWR). By using the hedonic price method, the house price serves as a proxy for public urban green spaces' economic value. The house price is regressed against the set of three variables which are structural characteristics, neighborhood attributes, and environmental attributes. Measurements of interest in this study are environmental characteristics, including distance to public UGSs and size of public UGSs. The results of the OLS regression illustrated that Taman Rimba Kiara and Taman Tasik Titiwangsa provide the maximum economic value. On average, reducing the distance of the house location to Taman Rimba Kiara by 10 m increased the house price by RM1700. Similarly, increasing the size of the Taman Tasik Titiwangsa by 1000 m2 increases the house price by RM60,000. The advantage of the GWR result is the economic value of public UGSs which can be analyzed by the specific location according to sub-district. From this study, the GWR result exposed that the economic values of Taman Rimba Bukit Kiara and Taman Tasik Titiwangsa were not significant in each of the sub-district within KL city. Taman Rimba Bukit Kiara was negatively significant at all sub-districts except Setapak and certain house locations located at the sub-district of KL. In contrast, Taman Tasik Titiwangsa was positively significant at all sub-districts except certain house locations at the sub-districts of Batu, KL, Setapak, and KL city center. In conclusion, results show that the house price is influenced by the environmental attribute. However, even though both of these public UGSs generate the highest economic value based on distance and size, its significant values with an expected sign are only obtained based on the specific house location as verified by the local model. In terms of model comparison, the local model was better compared with the global model.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics*
Choice and constraints in floodplain occupation: the influence of structural factors on residential location in peninsular Malaysia

Chan NW

Disasters, 1995 Dec;19(4):287-307.
PMID: 8564454

In Peninsular Malaysia 'structural' factors are found to influence strongly people's persistent occupation of floodplains. Thus, despite a high level of flood hazard awareness, a high level of pessimism and a high level of expectation of future floods, poorer individuals seldom attempt to leave for more advantageous locations but are instead trapped in their present locations by structural factors such as poverty, low residential and occupational mobility, low educational attainment, traditional land inheritance, government aid, and government disaster preparedness, relief and rehabilitation programmes. These forces exert a strong influence upon individuals and largely control their choice of residential location in response to flood hazards, thereby reinforcing the persistent occupation of floodplains. Structural factors such as landlessness, rural-urban migration, floodplain encroachment and squatting are also highly influential in leading people to move. Even for those who move, structural factors have largely confined their choice of residential location to urban floodplains.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics*
The costs of exclusion: recognizing a role for local communities in biodiversity conservation

Ancrenaz M, Dabek L, O'Neil S

PLoS Biol, 2007 Oct 23;5(11):e289.
PMID: 17958473
Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics*
Fulltext Do Living Arrangements and Social Network Influence the Mental Health Status of Older Adults in Malaysia?

Hamid TA, Din HM, Bagat MF, Ibrahim R

Front Public Health, 2021;9:624394.
PMID: 34026706 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.624394

Living arrangement has been reported to have a significant influence on several mental health statuses of older adults, but their social network may confound this association. This study is aimed at examining the interactive effect of living arrangements and social network on the mental health status among older adults in Malaysia. A total of 2,188 Malaysian older adults living nationwide were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants were classified into four groups according to their living arrangements (living alone or not living alone) and social network size (assessed using Lubben's Social Network Scale-6). Poor social network was defined as the lowest quartile (fourth quartile) of the score. Mental health statuses, which include flourishing in life, life satisfaction, cognitive functions, loneliness, depression, and perceived stress, were measured. Multiple linear regression models, adjusted for age, gender, education, and comorbidities, revealed that a good social network was significantly associated with an increase on the flourishing scale scores, regardless of living arrangements. Not living alone and having good social network was significantly associated with increased Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores and decreased loneliness scores. This study found that living arrangements are not always a risk factor for the mental health status of older adults. However, it may be confounded by the level of their social networks. The results suggested that the effects of social network may exceed the impact of living arrangements. It is recommended that health professionals pay more attention to the social networks of older Malaysians to harness its benefits in improving their mental health status.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics*
Fulltext Spatial clustering of colorectal cancer in Malaysia

Syed Soffian SS, Mohammed Nawi A, Hod R, Abdul Maulud KN, Mohd Azmi AT, Hasim Hashim MH, et al.

Geospat Health, 2023 May 25;18(1).
PMID: 37246545 DOI: 10.4081/gh.2023.1158

INTRODUCTION: The rise in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence becomes a global concern. As geographical variations in the CRC incidence suggests the role of area-level determinants, the current study was designed to identify the spatial distribution pattern of CRC at the neighbourhood level in Malaysia.
METHOD: Newly diagnosed CRC cases between 2010 and 2016 in Malaysia were identified from the National Cancer Registry. Residential addresses were geocoded. Clustering analysis was subsequently performed to examine the spatial dependence between CRC cases. Differences in socio-demographic characteristics of individuals between the clusters were also compared. Identified clusters were categorized into urban and semi-rural areas based on the population background.
RESULT: Most of the 18 405 individuals included in the study were male (56%), aged between 60 and 69 years (30.3%) and only presented for care at stages 3 or 4 of the disease (71.3%). The states shown to have CRC clusters were Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Johor, Kelantan, and Sarawak. The spatial autocorrelation detected a significant clustering pattern (Moran's Index 0.244, p< 0.01, Z score >2.58). CRC clusters in Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Johor, and Sarawak were in urbanized areas, while those in Kedah, Perak and Kelantan were in semi-rural areas.
CONCLUSION: The presence of several clusters in urbanized and semi-rural areas implied the role of ecological determinants at the neighbourhood level in Malaysia. Such findings could be used to guide the policymakers in resource allocation and cancer control.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics*
Fulltext Perspectives on the use of algae as biological indicators for monitoring and protecting aquatic environments, with special reference to Malaysian freshwater ecosystems

Wan Maznah Wan Omar

Trop Life Sci Res, 2010;21(2):-.
MyJurnal

Algal communities possess many attributes as biological indicators of spatial and temporal environmental changes. Algal parameters, especially the community structural and functional variables that have been used in biological monitoring programs, are highlighted in this document. Biological indicators like algae have only recently been included in water quality assessments in some areas of Malaysia. The use of algal parameters in identifying various types of water degradation is essential and complementary to other environmental indicators.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics
Temporal population variability in local forest communities has mixed effects on tree species richness across a latitudinal gradient

Fung T, Chisholm RA, Anderson-Teixeira K, Bourg N, Brockelman WY, Bunyavejchewin S, et al.

Ecol Lett, 2020 Jan;23(1):160-171.
PMID: 31698546 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13412

Among the local processes that determine species diversity in ecological communities, fluctuation-dependent mechanisms that are mediated by temporal variability in the abundances of species populations have received significant attention. Higher temporal variability in the abundances of species populations can increase the strength of temporal niche partitioning but can also increase the risk of species extinctions, such that the net effect on species coexistence is not clear. We quantified this temporal population variability for tree species in 21 large forest plots and found much greater variability for higher latitude plots with fewer tree species. A fitted mechanistic model showed that among the forest plots, the net effect of temporal population variability on tree species coexistence was usually negative, but sometimes positive or negligible. Therefore, our results suggest that temporal variability in the abundances of species populations has no clear negative or positive contribution to the latitudinal gradient in tree species richness.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics
Fulltext The interplay between the civil society and the private sector, especially for resource mobilization

Abraham, Martin

ASM Science Journal, 2012;6(1):67-70.
MyJurnal

The pursuit, initiation and establishment of multi-stakeholder partnerships, including with the private sector, is often a critical component of attaining and achieving the success and sustainability of many projects the world over. However, the soliciting and securing of socially, economically and environmentally constructive engagements between the private sector on the one hand, and the NGOs, CBOs and local communities on the other hand, is in reality much easier said than done. Notably, since most private sector corporations undoubtedly tend to leave behind various "ecological footprints", differing only in their size and depth, stemming from their respective forms and functions, and their ensuing impacts and implications. The interplay between the civil society and the private sector, especially for resource mobilization. (Copied from article).

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics
Fulltext Role of community counsellors in dealing with social problems in the community: the Selayang experience

Khalil, A.L., Hanafiah, M.S., Idris, M.N., Khadijah, S., Suraiyah, H., Siti Sapor, B., et al.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2002;2(2):27-31.
MyJurnal

This is an intervention study utilising Community Counsellors ( CC) for social change. Each CC is allocated to problematic families and is asked to do Outreach Family Intervention (OFI) in the form of family diagnosis, counselling and therapy for a period of six utonths. The findings revealed that the outreach activities are moderately successful. With only minimal efforts; 33.3% ofthe total Family»Counsellors Contacts (FCC) and 56.6% ofthe total Duration of Visits (DV), CCs are capable of bringing almost 40% ofthe expected. change, understanding 57% ofthe family problems and taking action on 44% ofthe problems. This study has proven that OFI utilising CCs is quite a useful tool to bring change in the society.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics
Fulltext Managing Further Rehabilitation in Longer-Term Stroke Patients in the Community: A New Approach.

Aziz, N.A., Ramymond, A.A.

Medicine & Health, 2008;3(1):1-6.
MyJurnal

Stroke is becoming a major public health issue in our country due to the fact that there isan increasing life span of our population. Due to advancement of acute management of stroke, three out of four people will survive beyond the acute phase of stroke. Stroke careproviders are still debating regarding the exact period of the terminology ‘longer-term stroke’; however many agreed that long-term of stroke refers to the period of one year and thereafter as this period is the determinant for longer-term survival. Management beyond the first year of stroke is complex, encompasses all aspects of patient’s life; physical, psychological and integration into community. Rehabilitation being the cornerstone of longer-term stroke management should now focused on more evidence-based approach as to be effective and relevant to the stroke patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics
Authorship in the East African Medical Journal

Lore W

East Afr Med J, 1994 Dec;71(12):762-7.
PMID: 7705242

Between 1978 and 1987, Kenyan authors contributed an average of 47% of papers published in the East African Medical Journal (EAMJ), in comparison to 24% originating from Nigeria and 29% from other countries, mainly those in the eastern and central African region. From January 1988 to December 1993, 44.1% of the papers published in EAMJ originated from Kenyan authors as compared to 26.7% from Nigerian authors and 29.2% from authors in other countries. During this six year period, there has been a steady increase in authorship from Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Tanzania, whereas authorship from Uganda and Zambia has declined. Many authors from Saudi Arabia are individuals originally from Nigeria now working in Saudi Arabia. These data indicate that Kenyan authorship has dropped by 3% over the last six years compared to the 1978-1987 period, while that of Nigeria has increased by at least 3% over the same period. During the period under review, EAMJ has attracted papers from as far as China, Turkey, Malaysia, Canada, USA, France, Sweden and Hungary. Similarly, papers have been received from other African countries not previously contributing to the journal; these include: Gabon, Mozambique, RSA, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Burundi, Namibia, Liberia, Egypt, Somalia and Zaire. Possible factors influencing authorship in the EAMJ are discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data*
Fulltext Development and validation of the neighborhood environment walkability scale for youth across six continents

Cerin E, Conway TL, Barnett A, Smith M, Veitch J, Cain KL, et al.

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 2019 12 03;16(1):122.
PMID: 31796075 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-019-0890-6

BACKGROUND: The IPEN International Physical Activity and Environment Network Adolescent project was conducted using common study protocols to document the strength, shape, and generalizability of associations of perceived neighborhood environment attributes with adolescents' physical activity and overweight/obesity using data from 15 countries. Countries did not use identical versions of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth (NEWS-Y) to measure perceived neighborhood environment attributes. Therefore, this study derived a measurement model for NEWS-Y items common to all IPEN Adolescent countries and developed a scoring protocol for the IPEN Adolescent version of the NEWS-Y (NEWS-Y-IPEN) that maximizes between-country comparability of responses. Additionally, this study examined between- and within-country variability, and construct validity of the NEWS-Y-IPEN subscales in relation to neighborhood-level socio-economic status and walkability.
METHODS: Adolescents and one of their parents (N = 5714 dyads) were recruited from neighborhoods varying in walkability and socio-economic status. To measure perceived neighborhood environment, 14 countries administered the NEWS-Y to parents and one country to adolescents. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to derive comparable country-specific measurement models of the NEWS-Y-IPEN. Country-specific standard deviations quantified within-country variability in the NEWS-Y-IPEN subscales, while linear mixed models determined the percentage of subscale variance due to between-country differences. To examine the construct validity of NEWS-Y-IPEN subscales, we estimated their associations with the categorical measures of area-level walkability and socio-economic status.
RESULTS: Final country-specific measurement models of the factor-analyzable NEWS-Y-IPEN items provided acceptable levels of fit to the data and shared the same factorial structure with five latent factors (Accessibility and walking facilities; Traffic safety; Pedestrian infrastructure and safety; Safety from crime; and Aesthetics). All subscales showed sufficient levels of within-country variability. Residential density had the highest level of between-country variability. Associations between NEWS-Y-IPEN subscales and area-level walkability and socio-economic status provided strong evidence of construct validity.
CONCLUSIONS: A robust measurement model and common scoring protocol of NEWS-Y for the IPEN Adolescent project (NEWS-Y-IPEN) were derived. The NEWS-Y-IPEN possesses good factorial and construct validity, and is able to capture between-country variability in perceived neighborhood environments. Future studies employing NEWS-Y-IPEN should use the proposed scoring protocol to facilitate cross-study comparisons and interpretation of findings.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics/classification*
Fulltext Spatial autocorrelation in the study of neighbourhoods towards smart cities: empirical evidence from Kerman, Iran

Asra Hosseini

Scientific Research Journal, 2012;9(2):0-0.
MyJurnal

From earliest cities to the present, spatial division into residential zones and neighbourhoods is the universal feature of urban areas. This study explored issue of measuring neighbourhoods through spatial autocorrelation method based on Moran’s I index in respect of achieving to best neighbourhoods’ model for forming cities smarter. The research carried out by selection of 35 neighbourhoods only within central part of traditional city of Kerman in Iran. The results illustrate, 75% of neighbourhoods’ area in the inner city of Kerman had clustered pattern, and it shows reduction in Moran’s index is associated with disproportional distribution of density and increasing in Moran’s I and Z-score have monotonic relation with more dense areas and clustered pattern. It may be more efficient for urban planner to focus on spatial autocorrelation to foster neighbourhood cohesion rather than emphasis on suburban area. It is recommended characteristics of historic neighbourhoods can be successfully linked to redevelopment plans toward making city smarter, and also people’s quality of life can be related to the way that neighbourhoods’ patterns are defined.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics
Fulltext Stroke community awareness among public: a cross sectional study

Anuar Deen, M.K., Mohd Fairuz, A., Zuraidah, C.M., Nik Azlan, N.M.

Medicine & Health, 2014;9(1):33-43.
MyJurnal

This study assessed the level of public awareness pertaining to risk factors, symptoms, treatment and source of information in relation to stroke and transient schaemic attack. Stroke risk profile of the respondents was correlated with their level of knowledge. Using a validated pre-tested questionnaire, 112 respondents were recruited during two separate community events. Respondents completed the questionnaire and underwent health screening. The data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Overall knowledge was poor. Only 35% of the respondents had satisfactory knowledge of the warning signs (p= 0.94) and 29% had satisfactory knowledge on the risk factors (p=0.46). When analysed according to risk groups, 26%, 30% and 41% of respondents had satisfactory awareness in the low, intermediate and high risk group, respectively. None of the respondents knew about the availability of treatment of acute stroke in the emergency department or the importance of rehabilitation as part of stroke management. Public awareness on stroke risk factors, symptoms and management is poor.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics
Fulltext Evidence-based clinical recommendations for fluoride use: a review

Mani, Shani Ann

Archives of Orofacial Sciences, 2009;4(1):1-6.
MyJurnal

The use of fluoride as a preventive measure for dental caries has been established more than 50 years ago. The recommendations for fluoride use has been modified over the years due to factors like decreased prevalence of caries, increased prevalence of dental fluorosis and the widespread availability of fluoride in various forms to the community. In recent years, the role of evidence-based recommendations has come to the forefront, in an attempt to ensure the most favorable treatment for the individual. This review has attempted to appraise the most recent evidence- based recommendations for different fluoride modalities put forth by various organizations worldwide, in order to appreciate the current status of fluoride in the early 21st century.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics
The association between the perception of crime and walking in gated and non-gated neighbourhoods of Asian developing countries

Gul Y, Sultan Z, Jokhio GA

Heliyon, 2018 Aug;4(8):e00715.
PMID: 30094383 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00715

It has been reported in the literature that the perception of crime at the neighbourhood level inversely affects the walking behaviour of individuals. On the other hand, the gated neighbourhoods are considered safe from crime, however, there is a lack of research on the association of the perception of crime and walking in gated neighbourhoods. Therefore, the objectives of the study reported in this paper were to investigate the association between the perception of crime and walking in gated and non-gated neighbourhoods. A questionnaire was used to collect the data on walking and the perception of crime in 16 neighbourhoods of Karachi Pakistan, 8 out of which were gated. Independent sample t-test and gamma tests were used for the data analysis. The results show that although there is a lower perception of crime in the gated neighbourhoods, yet the inhabitants of gated neighbourhoods engage in less physical activity comprising of walking. In spite of a greater perception of crime in non-gated neighbourhoods, higher values of walking were reported by the residents of those neighbourhoods. Therefore, it has been concluded that there does not exist a definite relationship between the perception of crime and walking behaviour at the neighbourhood level and the perceived safety from crime claimed by the proponents of the gated neighbourhoods does not encourage walking among the residents.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics
Fulltext The Effect of Community-Based Intervention on Dengue Awareness and Prevention Among Poor Urban Communities in Delhi, India

Lachyan A, Zaki RA, Banerjee B, Aghamohammadi N

J Res Health Sci, 2023 Dec 29;23(4):e00596.
PMID: 38315911 DOI: 10.34172/jrhs.2023.131

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a dengue intervention program in economically deprived urban regions of India, with a particular emphasis on housing conditions and community involvement. Given the global significance of dengue fever as a vector-borne disease, successful vector management requires effective community engagement. Study Design: A quasi-experimental study.
METHODS: This study was conducted with 314 participants from Delhi's Sanjay Colony, divided into control and intervention groups. The study spanned 14 months (August 2020 to September 2021). The intervention program comprised two educational sessions held one month apart, covering dengue awareness, health self-care, and environmental maintenance. Data were collected at baseline, after each intervention session, and during a final follow-up assessment three months later.
RESULTS: The primary outcome, the house index (HI), revealed statistically significant differences (P<0.001) favoring the intervention group. The total score (TS) for mosquito-borne disease, TS of knowledge, TS of attitude, and TS of practices all exhibited significant improvements in the intervention group. Participants showed an enhanced understanding of dengue causes, symptoms, and mosquito behavior related to breeding and biting. The HI in the intervention group decreased significantly from 21.65% to 4.45% (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION: This study, grounded in the health belief model (HBM), demonstrated the effectiveness of the intervention program in reducing HI and improving knowledge and preventive practices regarding dengue fever in impoverished urban neighborhoods of Delhi. The intervention program may be beneficial in such a poor urban community.

Matched MeSH terms: Residence Characteristics

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