Walking in a city neighbourhood, paving the way.
BACKGROUND
There is an increasing interest in the use of walking routes to promote physical activity. We explored the stated attitudes of selected residents from two adjacent low-income city neighbourhoods towards walking. This was in response to negative results obtained in a quantitative study assessing the impact of the Slí-na-Sláinte (path to health), a signed heart health walking route.


METHODS
This was a qualitative focus group study.


RESULTS
The impact of the walking route was marginal. Four major themes influencing local walking emerged, centring on the social and physical environment.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that the neighbourhoods are unreceptive to health promotion initiatives such as the Slí-na-Sláinte since residents are dealing with fundamental social and physical environmental issues. Initiatives such as the Slí-na-Sláinte need to be embedded in a supportive and facilitative environment if they are to achieve substantial impact.
Burgoyne
L
L
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Ireland. l.burgoyne@ucc.ie
Coleman
R
R
Perry
I J
IJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002947:Cities; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011204:Poverty Areas; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D016138:Walking