Users' safety perceptions from crime in relation to park type and user gender in Mexico

While parks hold potential as inclusive spaces for promoting physical activity, perceptions of safety from crime may affect their use, especially in low-to middle-income countries. Safety perceptions may be shaped by gender and park type; however, these relationships have not been explored in Mexico. The aim of this study was to explore associations between safety perceptions and park type by gender. This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study. We assessed perceptions of safety from crime in Mexican adult park users in Jalisco state. Six parks were classified into three categories: 1) Metropolitan parks with controlled gate access (gated), 2) Metropolitan parks without controlled gate access (open), and 3) Linear parks (linear). We ran binary logistic regression models to investigate the association between safety perception and park type, and safety perception and gender. We found that men were more likely to feel safe than women, regardless of park type, and users of linear parks were more likely to feel safe than users of gated parks, regardless of gender. Safety perception is related to park type and park user gender. Future studies should explore which specific park attributes are influencing park user safety perception and how to address gender disparities.