Perception of neighborhood environments and self-rated health in Hong Kong

Background: It is believed that where an individual resides is associated with his health status. This neighborhood and health relationship is well documented in western countries but receives very little attention in Hong Kong. Objective: The present study attempted to explore the relationship between perception of neighborhood environments and self-rated health (SRH) in Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong. Methods: Questionnaire was used to collect people’s perception of neighborhood environments, including the physical and living environment, service environment and social environment, and their SRH. Binary logistic regression was employed to explore the neighborhood environment and SRH relationship. Results: It was discovered that a significant negative association of poor SRH with perceptions of physical and living, service and social environments. Income and education levels also were significant predictors of SRH.