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A GIS-based Spatial Analysis of Health care Facilities in Yola, Nigeria

Authors:
Abdurrahman Belel Ismaila
Nurünnisa Usul

Keywords: GIS; Spatial analysis; Health care facilities; Yola; Nigeria

Abstract:
In recent years, health care provision policies in Nigeria have addressed distribution and spatial equity questions at a gross or regional level, but have neglected to address the distribution of health care facilities within cities. This paper explores the potential use of GIS for modeling the spatial distribution and accessibility of the health care delivery system in Yola. Several digital and non-digital data sets were collected and transformed into GIS data. Spatial analysis tools, including symbols, overlay operations, Kernel Density Estimations (KDE), buffer operations, and a raster calculator were used for the analysis. All identified public and private facilities were classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary. The majority of these facilities were concentrated in Jimeta. The study also produced the three following accessibility models: (i) the distance to the health facility, (ii) the health facility-to-population ratios, and (iii) the physician-to-population ratios. Based on this analysis, it was concluded that a gross inadequacy exists in terms of health care facilities and physicians. Thus, these results identify the need for urgent improvements in the Yola health care delivery system, including the construction of new facilities, upgrades for existing facilities, increased physician employment, and the adoption of GIS technology by Yola health care planners and policy makers for effective planning and resource allocation.

Pages: 46 to 53

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2013

Publication date: February 24, 2013

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-393X

ISBN: 978-1-61208-251-6

Location: Nice, France

Dates: from February 24, 2013 to March 1, 2013