Evaluation of quality of urban life with emphasis on health; A case study in Mashhad city

Background: The quality of life of the citizens is one of the most important issues studied in different countries and used in the planning and monitoring of public policies. The present study measured and evaluated the indicators of quality of urban life among citizens of Mashhad city. Methods: This analytical study was conducted on 375 citizens of various regions in Mashhad city. The random sampling method using population distribution and short-form questionnaires for data collection were applied. The validity of the questionnaires was verified by experts and the points given each question based on a 5-point Likert scale, and the Cronbach αcoefficient was used to measure the reliability of the questionnaire; the questionnaire rated 0.853%. To analyze the variables under study, SPSS and other statistical methods such as average answers and t test for independent variables were used. Results: Findings of this research showed that the average health-sanitation dimension and environmental quality dimension are lower than 50% in Mashhad city. Sanitation and health, with a standard deviation of 5.838, are situated below the median level. The most common weakness is related to the dietary intake of protein. Environmental quality with a standard deviation of 5.857 is lower than the median level which is related to garbage separation and landfill sites. This result indicates that the quality of health and the environment in Mashhad is undesirable. Conclusion: Citizens’ satisfaction with quality of life index is lower than average in Mashhad city. Plans for improving the quality of life and developing services are highly necessary for increasing the quality of life.