title: Assessing the physical activity environment in Mexican healthcare settings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the informational, educational and instrumental environments among Mexican healthcare settings for their potential to promote physical activity (PA).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Environmental Physical Activity Assessment Tool for Healthcare Settings (EPATHS) was developed to assess the PA environments of 40 clinics/hospitals representing the three Mexican healthcare systems in Guadalajara. The EPATHS assessed the presence and quality of PA enhancing features in the informational (e.g. signage), educational (e.g. pamphlets), and instrumental (e.g. stairs) environments of included clinics/hospitals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  28 (70%) clinics/hospitals had more than one floor with stairs; 60% of these had elevators. Nearly 90% of stairs were visible, accessible and clean compared to fewer than 30% of elevators. Outdoor spaces were observed in just over half (55%) of clinics/hospitals, and most (70%) were of good quality. Only 25% clinics/hospitals had educational PA materials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PA instrumental environment of Mexican healthcare settings is encouraging. The informational and educational environments could improve.
authors.affiliation: Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, Estados Unidos de América.
authors.forename: Karla I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Galaviz
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, Estados Unidos de América.
authors.forename: Rebecca E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canadá
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bergeron
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canadá
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lévesque
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D000072506:Gardens; D006268:Health Facilities; D006293:Health Promotion; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D008123:Location Directories and Signs; D008800:Mexico; D010174:Pamphlets; D011320:Primary Health Care; D000072799:Stair Climbing