Authors

• Paronen, Olavi (UKK Institute)

Keywords

health, health services, neighbourhoods, personal safety, physical mobility, social services

Abstract

The survey charted the general health, functional ability, need for help, use of and satisfaction with social and health services, perceptions of the neighbourhood, and sense of safety and security of people living in the city of Tampere (Finland). Previous surveys were carried out in 1990 and 1993.

Perceived general health and use of medicine were surveyed. The respondents were also asked whether they have a disability, injury or long-term illness, whether that disability/injury/illness limited their daily activities or work, whether they needed help at home because of it, and what kind of help they had received. Mental problems and symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, sense of loneliness were examined. One question explored whether the respondents themselves regularly helped someone else.

Use of health services was charted by asking about hospitalization spells and visits to a doctor. Satisfaction and opinions on the health and social services in Tampere were surveyed with a number of questions. Use of social services was charted by asking about the use of different services. The survey also covered opinions on the adequacy of social security.

Perceptions of safety and security were charted by asking about how safe the respondents felt walking or cycling in their neighbourhood, whether they had experienced violence or threats of violence in their neighbourhood, and what kinds of other problems there were (e.g. noise, pollution). The respondents were asked to what extent certain factors caused them feelings of insecurity or uncertainty (e.g. immigrants, the unemployed, violence). They were also asked to evaluate different aspects of their neighbourhood.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, household composition, education, economic activity and occupational status, duration of possible unemployment, and the service unit area where R lived.