Sense of community and community participation for health promotion in urban areas of Korea

Objectives: This study aims at examining the association of sense of community with community participation for health promotion in urban areas of Korea. Methods: We analyzed data from 'Community Capacity for Healthy Gangdong Communites' Survey' in 2007. The survey was based on self-reported questionnaires, which were distributed to 1,800 community residents over the age of nineteen in five administrative communities of Gangdong-gu, Seoul, in Korea by using proportionate probability sampling method. We measured 'Sense of community' with four indicators including 'Good neighborhoods', 'Perceived possibility of cooperation', 'Pride of community' and 'Possibility of development' by using 5-point Likert scales. Community participation was measured with the experience rate or the extent of participation by 5-point Likert scales in seven community actions or activities including voting, community program planning, social actions, etc. We examined the association of sense of community with community participation by using regression analyses. Results: This study has shown that sense of community was associated with and made positive impacts on community participation in diverse community actions or activities in urban communities. Conclusions: For promoting community health in urban areas, we can increase community participation more effectively with the efforts of enhancing sense of community.