Healthcare Distribution And Accessibility Assessment Using Geospatial Technologies: - The Case Of Hadiya Zone, Southern Nations Nationalities And Peoples’ Region, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Healthcare facilities in developing countries are largely located in urban or semi-urban areas rather than in rural areas. This study aimed to assess the distribution and accessibility of healthcare facilities by using geospatial technologies in the Study Area. In this study, the road network, existing healthcare center, population, DEM, and land use data were used from different sources. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the healthcare service distribution and accessibility was conducted in the study area by using spatial and non-spatial criteria supported by geospatial techniques of network and spatial analysis methods. Firstly, the relative accessibility index (RAI) was estimated based on the no. of the healthcare institution, the population, and the number of doctors. Similarly, Euclidean distance, kernel density, and proximity were analyzed. The second phase of analysis was to select appropriate sites for new healthcare services depending on selected criteria. Similarly, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied in addition to reclassifying and weighted overlay analysis. The findings show that the relative accessibility index (RAI) of the present healthcare service was calculated and the result reveals that from 0.0028 to 0.0154 values indicated very low access to accessible. Using the three-step floating catchment area (3SFCA) method the lowest score is (0), which means no access to healthcare, while a higher score is (1), the greater access to healthcare. In the study area, about 15.12% and 30.41% population travel 0-5km to get to hospitals and Health Centers respectively. The remains population travels above 5km to access healthcare facilities. Additional healthcare center facilities are required more in the western, southwestern, and southern parts of the study area whose cost attribute values (distance and time) are beyond the recommended. This study can appear as a good source of healthcare service enhancement and plan implementation for policymakers and healthcare planners.