Availability and Usage Patterns of Green Spaces on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Individuals in some Selected LGAs of Taraba State
Abstract
This study assessed the availability and usage patterns of green spaces and their influence on mental health among residents of Sardauna, Zing, and Wukari LGAs of Taraba State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used, involving adult residents who had lived in the study areas for at least one year. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and Pearson chi-square tests were used to assess relationships between variables at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. The results showed that 70.0% of respondents reported the availability of green spaces within their communities, although distribution was uneven. Open fields (32.1%) and parks (28.6%) were the most common types of green spaces. The quality of green spaces was mostly rated as fair (37.5%) and good (25.0%), with quality significantly influencing visitation patterns (χ² = 14.97, p = 0.005), unlike the type of green space which showed no significant effect. Usage patterns revealed that weekly visits (35.0%) were most common, while walking (31.7%) and relaxation (28.6%) were the primary activities. Frequency of visits and type of activities showed statistically significant variations, whereas social context and time of visitation did not significantly influence usage. Conclusively, while green spaces are relatively available in the study areas, their utilization is strongly influenced by quality rather than type. Improving the maintenance, safety, and accessibility of green spaces could enhance their use and maximize their benefits for mental health and wellbeing.
Keywords
Green spaces, Mental health, Wellbeing, Availability, Usage Patterns