Epidemiology of participation: an Australian community study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the levels of participation in social and civic community life in a metropolitan region, and to assess differential levels of participation according to demographic, socioeconomic and health status. To contribute to policy debates on community participation, social capital and health using these empirical data.


METHODS
Cross sectional, postal, self completed survey on health and participation.


METHODS
Random sample of the population from the western suburbs of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, a population of approximately 210 000.


METHODS
2542 respondents from a sample of 4000 people aged 18 years and over who were registered on the electoral roll.


RESULTS
The response rate to the survey was 63.6% (n=2542). Six indices of participation, on range of social and civic activities, with a number of items in each, were created. Levels of participation were highest in the informal social activities index (46.7-83.7% for individual items), and lowest in the index of civic activities of a collective nature (2.4-5.9% for individual items). Low levels of involvement in social and civic activities were reported more frequently by people of low income and low education levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Levels of participation in social and civic community life in an urban setting are significantly influenced by individual socioeconomic status, health and other demographic characteristics. An understanding of the pattern of participation is important to inform social and health policy making. Increasing levels of participation will reduce social exclusion and is likely to improve the overall quality of community life.
Baum
F E
FE
Department of Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia. fran.baum@flinders.edu.au
Bush
R A
RA
Modra
C C
CC
Murray
C J
CJ
Cox
E M
EM
Alexander
K M
KM
Potter
R C
RC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003256:Community Participation / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011050:Policy Making; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013021:South Australia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health / Q000592:standards*