Purpose
  The purpose of this study was to elucidate the factors related to job satisfaction in nurses working in Health Centers (HC) in northern Thailand.
Method
  A questionnaire composed of items on basic attributes, religion, the Self Efficacy Scale (SES), and the Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS) was distributed to 192 nurses working at HC in Phayao Province in northern Thailand. A total of 135 responses were received (response rate, 70%). Among the responses, data from seven male cases were excluded; therefore, data from 128 female cases were used for statistical analyses.
  Statistical significance was fixed at 5% for all tests.
Result and Discussion
  A statistically significant correlation, r＝0.22 (p＝0.04), was found between the JSS score and daily frequency of meditation. A statistically significant difference was found (p<0.01) about the JSS score between “High or Medium” and “Low” answer groups to the question of salary. It was also found (p<0.01) about the JSS score between “Yes” and “No” answer groups to the question of change jobs. These results are almost identical to those previously reported in Japan.
  Regarding the reason for choosing to work at an HC, a statistically significant difference was found (p＝0.04) between “To help the people” and “No relation between job choice and religion”. It was thus thought that nurses might maintain high motivation and have high levels of job satisfaction if they have a desire to be helpful.
Conclusion
  It should be pointed out that job changes and salary are related to the job satisfaction of nurses working in HC in northern Thailand, which has also been reported in Japan. Moreover, it is thought that religious activities, particularly meditation, must be related to job satisfaction.

OBJECTIVEPrevious studies on the association between physical activity (PA) and neighborhood environments (NE) focused on either objectively measuring the NE or the residents' perception of NE. Here, we investigate which actual or perceived NE is associated with residents' PA in Japan.

METHODSTwo regions with an objectively assessed high and low residential density, land use mix-diversity, and street connectivity, respectively, were identified in one city. The subjects were selected using a stratified random sampling method by sex and age in each region. The NE of the subjects was objectively measured using the Geographic Information System (GIS), and the subjects' perception of the NE was assessed using a questionnaire. The daily total number of walking steps was measured with an accelerometer, and walking and cycling time were assessed by a questionnaire.

RESULTSFor the female subjects, the mean cycling time, subjectively assessed as a means of transport, was significantly longer in the group with a high GIS score for the number of land use types, while the score for total number of walking steps was significantly higher among those who were aware of places to walk to, and cycling time for transport was longer for those who perceived an accessibility to post offices, banks/credit unions, gymnasiums/fitness facilities, and amusement facilities in their neighborhood. For the male subjects, the score for walking time for leisure was longer for those who perceived aesthetics and an accessibility to parks, and the score for total walking steps was significantly higher for those who perceived an accessibility to bookstores or rental video stores in their neighborhood.

CONCLUSIONSThe results to this study demonstrate that daily PA was high among female subjects living in a NE with land use mix-diversity, and who had an awareness of places to walk to and the accessibility to facilities for daily necessities in their neighborhood. For male subjects, daily PA was high among those who perceived the aesthetics of and accessibility to facilities for pleasure in their neighborhood. Further research is needed to determine the association between PA and NE on the basis of sex differences.