Table 1.

Description of neighbourhood socio-economic environment indices created for urban South African adolescents aged 18 years

Neighbourhood economic variables: perceptions of neighbourhood wealth; outsiders’ perceptions of neighbourhood wealth; perception of equity of neighbourhood living standards; housing quality and condition; availability of yard space; parking space and fencing/walls around properties

Neighbourhood availability of services/facilities variables: primary and secondary schools; hospitals, health centres; community centres; sports facilities; parks; street lighting; piped water; policing

Neighbourhood problem variables: traffic congestion; road safety; sewerage; illegal dumping; pollution; overcrowding; in-migration of non-South Africans; homelessness; repossession of properties; unemployment; prostitution; alcohol/drug abuse; ‘shebeens’ (bars); gangs

Neighbourhood social support/happiness variables: information on the liveliness, spirit and trust levels in the neighbourhood; whether neighbours help in a time of need; whether neighbours could be trusted to look after their house; happiness and level of pride in the neighbourhood