Iranian version of child health-friendly neighbourhood checklist: an application in Tehran

Limited studies in Iran have assessed child health-friendly neighbourhood domains or examined the extent to which neighbourhoods support the health of children under 6 years of age. This study aimed to assess the status of child health-friendly neighbourhood domains in selected districts of Tehran using a previously designed and locally validated tool, with a focus on identifying neighbourhood strengths and weaknesses.

This pilot study was conducted between April and July 2023 in Tehran. 10 neighbourhoods from five districts were selected using convenience random sampling. Neighbourhoods were assessed using the Iranian Child Health-Friendly Neighbourhood checklist. Six dimensions-green spaces and parks, recreational centres, cultural centres, passages and streets, healthcare centres and kindergartens-were evaluated across five domains: facilities and services, accessibility, security, safety and aesthetics and view. Descriptive statistics, including means and frequencies, were used for data analysis.

Accessibility achieved the highest overall score (94%), particularly for kindergartens and cultural centres. The lowest scores were observed in green spaces and parks and in the domain of aesthetics and view (both 57.2%). Neighbourhood safety and security were scored 73.5% and 66.8%, respectively. The aesthetics and view of green spaces and parks (32.2%) and facilities and services in kindergartens (38%) were identified as the lowest-scoring components. Based on the design of the tool, the aim was to identify neighbourhood strengths and weaknesses; therefore, no predefined criteria were applied to classify neighbourhoods as child-friendly or not.

Despite some strengths, the overall status of the assessed neighbourhoods indicates a need for targeted improvements to better support and promote children's health. The integration of field observation, a locally validated assessment tool and a focus on children under 6 years of age provides practical evidence to inform urban planning and health promotion policies aimed at creating safer and more child-friendly neighbourhoods.