How walkable are neighbourhoods in Oman? Perceived and objective assessment of built environment.

Background: Physical inactivity remains common in Oman despite national strategies to promote physical activity and active transport. Aim: To compare perceived and objectively measured walkability features between old and new residential neighbourhoods in Nizwa and Barka, Oman. Methods: Between June...

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Publicado en:Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 360 - 368
Autores principales: Al Siyabi, Huda, Mabry, Ruth, De Siqueira, Gustavo, Al Siyabi, Amal, Al Anquodi, Zahir, Hassan, Umar A., Oyeyemi, Adewale L.
Formato: pictorial research Journal Article
Publicado: World Health Organization Jun2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2026
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      pub: World Health Organization
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        atl: How walkable are neighbourhoods in Oman? Perceived and objective assessment of built environment.
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          Al Siyabi, Huda
          Mabry, Ruth
          De Siqueira, Gustavo
          Al Siyabi, Amal
          Al Anquodi, Zahir
          Hassan, Umar A.
          Oyeyemi, Adewale L.
        affil: Department of Community-based Initiatives, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
      sug:
        subj:
          Neighborhood Characteristics Oman
          Physical Activity
          Walking
          Built Environment
          Human
          Oman
          Questionnaires
          Clinical Assessment Tools
          Descriptive Statistics
          Random Sample
          Nonexperimental Studies
          Multivariate Analysis
          Data Analysis Software
          Confidence Intervals
          Male
          Female
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Surveys
          Aesthetics
          Safety
          Public Facilities
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Physical inactivity remains common in Oman despite national strategies to promote physical activity and active transport. Aim: To compare perceived and objectively measured walkability features between old and new residential neighbourhoods in Nizwa and Barka, Oman. Methods: Between June and August 2023, we surveyed 374 adults from 4 neighbourhoods and assessed their perceived and objective walkability using the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale and the Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes. Data were analysed using SPSS version 28 and walkability scores were compared between old and new neighbourhoods using multivariable analysis of covariance. Results: Residents in old neighbourhoods reported significantly higher perceived street connectivity [mean 3.7 (SD 0.6) versus 2.9 (1.0); P < 0.001], safety (P < 0.001), aesthetic appeal (P = 0.001), and access to destinations (P = 0.038) than residents in new neighbourhoods. Perceived pedestrian infrastructure and social environment did not differ by neighbourhood type. Objective assessments showed higher aesthetic scores in new neighbourhoods (P = 0.001), whereas old neighbourhoods scored higher for pedestrian infrastructure (P = 0.009) and the presence of commercial and residential destinations (P = 0.034). Conclusion: The old neighbourhoods in Oman were perceived and observed to be more walkable. Improving pedestrian connectivity, infrastructure and mixed land use in new developments may support walking and other physical activities.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        research
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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