PNS122 Spatial Distribution of Public Health Care Facilities: Identifying UNDER-Served Population in Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the categories of health facilities in Kano according to Local government areas (LGA), show the spatial distribution of health facilities in Kano state and determine the proportion of undeserved areas in Kano state. Location quotients (LQ), Average Nearest Neighbor Analysis (ANN) and Health facility density was used to ascertain areas that were underserved within Kano State This research showed that there are three categories of health facilities; primary, secondary and tertiary in the study area. Of the total one thousand four hundred and seventy eight (1478) health facilities studied, 94.2 % are primary health care facilities which in turn mean that preventative medicine is what is most practiced in the state as this is the mandate of primary health care facilities. Also, analysis from nearest neighbor shows that health facility within Kano state were randomly distribution since observed mean distance is 1876.07,z-score 1.069657 and p-value is 0.284774.It was observed that LGAs like Kumbotso (0.319 LQ) and Gwale (0.312 LQ) are lagging, while other LGAs such as Tofa (3.184 LQ), Rimin Gado (2.51), Kabo (2.438 LQ) and Bagwai (1.877 LQ) has these facilities more than expected. A comparison between LQ and health facility density was used to identify underserved LGAs. Analysis shows that Kumbotso, Gwale, Dala, Kano municipal, Ungogo, Dawakin Kudu,Gezawa and Nassarawa LGA since they all have a less LQ ration( less than 0.30 and not greater than 0.80 LQ) and low health facility density( less than 0.30 and not greater than 1 This paper concluded that looking at the ratio of the population to health facilities, there is need to allocate or and equipped the exiting health center to accommodate the present pandemic and health challenges in Kano. A need assessment for these lagging LGA should also be conducted.