IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL POLICY (JHSP )

E-ISSN 2545-5729
P-ISSN 2695 2416
VOL. 10 NO. 1 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56201/jhsp.v10.no1.2024.pg56.65

---

Survey Of Residents Found in a High Percentage of Green Space 1- 3km Radius Around their Home and Their Mental Health Status in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State

OPUBO-EZEKIEL, Victoria, Ph.D, EHIEMERE Francisca Ifeoma, Ph.D, OGBARA Regina Ovieteme

---

Abstract

The objective of the research is to analyse the survey responses of individuals residing within a 1- 3km radius of their homes, regarding the prevalence of green spaces, and its correlation with their mental health state in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. This research used a correlational design. The study will be conducted in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The study's sample size consists of 118 inhabitants in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, selected by a simple random selection approach. The Mental Health Scale used the Stress and Anxiety Scale for the purpose of assessing mental well-being. The quiz employs a 4-point Likert scale and covers the preceding week. The individual components were aggregated to create a cumulative score known as the SAS Total. The internal consistency of this total score was strong, as shown by a high Cronbach's ? coefficient of 0.97. The proportion of green cover in the vicinity include urban green spaces, agricultural areas, and natural vegetation. Urban green spaces include vegetable gardens that are larger than 0.1 hectares, sports and leisure areas that are larger than 0.5 hectares, and parks that are larger than 1 hectare. The proportion of green space is determined by measuring the area inside circles with radii of 1 kilometre (km) and 3 km surrounding the individual's place of residence, use a Geographical Information System (GIS). The data will be analysed using Pearson product correlation. The discovery implies that the existence of green areas in individuals' residential surroundings has a significant impact on health as a result of mitigating stress, enhancing physical activity, and fostering enhanced social unity. This study has shown that green space is not only a luxury, but rather an essential component. Consequently, the integration of green space should be given more priority in spatial planning pol

keywords:

Survey, residents, high percentage, green space, radius and mental health status

---

References:

Bowler, D.E., Buyung-Ali, L., Knight, T.M., & Pullin, A.S. (2010). A systematic review of
evidence for the added benefits to health of exposure to natural environments. BMC Public
Health, 10, 1–10.

De Vries, S., Verheij, R.A, & Groenewegen, P.P (2003). Natural environments-healthy
environments? An exploratory analysis of the relationship between green space and health.
Environment and Planning, 35, 1717–31.

De Vries, S., Verheij, R., Groenewegen, P., & Spreeuwenberg, P. (2003). Natural environments—
Healthy environments? An exploratory analysis of the relationship between greenspace and
health. Environ. Plann, 35, 1717–1731.

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back