Samuel Ojima Adejoh
Department of Social Work
University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria
sadejoh@unilag.edu.ng
Franca Attoh
Department of Sociology
University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria
fattoh@unilag.edu.ng
Gabriel Aunde Akinbode
Department of Psychology
University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria
aakinbode@unilag.edu.ng
Peter Elias
Department of Geography
University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria
pelias@unilag.edu.ng
Ajijola Abiodun
Department of Geography
University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria
abbeyajijola@gmail.com
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to examine the influence of socio-demographic characteristics,
community characteristics and fear of crime on self-reported health status among residents in selected
communities in Lagos, Nigeria. The study was conducted in four selected communities in Lagos, namely
Mushin, Idi-Oro, Idi-Araba and Surulere. Cross-sectional design survey was used to select 799 respondents using stratified sampling technique. Data were analysed at univariate, bivariate and ordinal logistic regression using SPSS version 22.0. Majority of the respondents rated their self-reported health status as excellent to good. The findings show that education increases the chances of achieving excellent to good self reported health status; that female respondent reported excellent to good self-reported health status compared to the male respondents Also, Christians and Muslims reported excellent to good self-reported health status. Safely walking alone at night/day in the community positively affected self-reported health status. Fear of crime has direct relationship with self-reported health status. Sociodemographic, community characteristics and fear of crime influence self-reported health status. Policy on crime control should be specific at reducing fear of crime at individual and community levels to promote healthy individuals and communities.
Keywords: Sex, education, religion, Lagos, fear of crime, community characteristics
Introduction
The place of self-rated or self-reported health in any population or community cannot be underestimated. Knowing peoples’ health status will help in the planning, development of disease prevention strategy and health promotion programmes, health care and social services that can enhance life satisfaction, quality of life and service delivery in the workplace. Self-reported health is an assessment of health derived from individuals self-rating of their own health on a point scale and is considered as an important indicator of population health and healthy life expectancy (World Health Organization, 1996). Self-rated health or Self reported health is a qualitative single question assessment of health (Manderbacka et al 1998) and a recognized indicator of wellbeing in both people with significant illnesses and those living in the community (Oterhals et al.2017, Bethune et al. 2018) Self-reported health serves as a global measure of health that captures functional, physical, and psychosocial factors that affect quality of life (Jylhä, 2009).
The measure has also shown to be valid across racial and ethnic groups (Ferraro et al. 1997, Finch, et al. 2002). It is also predictive of mortality, decline and health care utilization (Bailis et al 2003). Furthermore, self-rated health the summary of individual’s perception of their health condition including physical, psychological, mental, environmental and social health (Johansson et al. 2019, Ou et al 2018). A study found that better self-rated health was associated with greater education, property ownership, employment and not living with someone suffering from a chronic illness (Darker et al 2016). Other studies found that age, gender, income and education (Trachte et al. 2016); lifestyle, psychological well-being (Kuosmanen et al. 2016); Social support (Dai, Zhang, & Zhang, 2016); are associated with self-rated health.
The effects of neighbourhood crime on health have been found to be associated with a variety of negative health outcomes including all-cause mortality (Wilkinson, Kawachi, & Kennedy, 1998); coronary heart disease (Sundquist, et al. 2006); and preterm birth and low birth weight (Messer et al. 2006); and health behaviours such as lower physical activity (Go´mez, et al 2004, McDonald, 2008). Studies show that
exposure to violence in the communities is also demonstrated with poorer physical and psychological health (Boynton-Jarrett et al. 2008, Fowler et al 2008). Health care access, residential factors, physiological processes, psychosocial variables, and health behaviours have been identified as contributing to negative health outcomes (Ghaed & Gallo, 2007). Other studies identified body fat, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity (Adler, et al. 2000). Behaviour and lifestyles decisions such as smoking, obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity all contribute to health status. Unprotected sexual activity, drug use and needle sharing are determinants of health status (Rubin, Colen, Link, 2010). Other factors identified included chronic stress, social isolation, and lack of preventive care (Phelan, Link, & Tehranifar. 2010).
Fear of crime is related to health (Lorenc, et al 2012) and satisfaction with life (Hanslmaier, 2013).
Furthermore, fear of crime and crime related anxieties may worsen mental well-being and increase avoidance behaviour and consequently less physical activity and reduced social interaction (Lorenc, et al. 2012). Another study demonstrated a direct association between fear of crime and physical health (McEwen, 1998).
The impact of fear of crime on both physical and mental health has been recorded (Stafford, Chandola, &
Marmot, 2007, Olofsson, Lindkvist, & Danielsson. 2012, Pearson, & Breetzke, 2014); and a relationship
between fear of crime and self-reported poor health has been established Olofsson, Lindkvist, & Danielsson. 2012, Pearson, & Breetzke, 2014).
In Nigeria, there are no studies on individual level factors, community level factors and fear of crime by
individuals. This study attempts to explore the extent to which socio-demographic, community level factors and fear of crime influence self-reported health as this area is still very much under-researched. This study asked the following questions: (a) what are the socio-demographic characteristics associated with selfreported health? (b) What are the community level factors associated with self-reported health? (c) Is fear of crime associated with self-reported health status?
Methods
The data used for this paper were taken from a larger survey conducted on crime mapping in the University of Lagos College of Medicine and Idi-Araba, Lagos which included the College of Medicine. The study was conducted in four communities around the College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL), located at Idi-Araba neighbourhood. Idi-Araba neighbourhood is a subset of Mushin Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State. Mushin is one of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) that make up the Lagos Metropolis. The LGA is bounded to the west by Oshodi/Isolo LGA while it is bounded to the east by Somolu and Lagos Mainland LGAs. Mushin LGA is also respectively bounded to Ikeja and Surulere LGAs in the northern and southern parts. Mushin is generally known for industrial, commercial and transport activities. The four communities purposively selected include Mushin, Idi-Oro, Surulere and Idi-Araba. The study area is a densely populated neighbourhood which is located between Mushin and Surulere LGAs. The cross-sectional design survey was used and a convenient sample of 800 respondents was selected with 200 from each community. The study population comprises adults residing in the four selected communities. The study adopted a combination of the quantitative and qualitative research methods in data collection. However, this paper only reported the quantitative data collected from four communities. The quantitative research method used the cross-sectional survey method with the questionnaire as instrument for the research.