Abstract
Reimagining measures of spatial access to health care in lowand middle-income countries: using road network analysis to validate self-reported perceptions of geospatial barriers
Highlights
The lack of geographic access to health care can increase the risk of delayed treatment or lack thereof, leading to increased adverse health outcomes, including death
Characterizing geographic access is crucial for accurately identifying spatial barriers and planning for programs that aim to improve the accessibility of health care for the most vulnerable populations
Using the location of 977 health facilities from a census of health facilities (2013-14 Malawi Service Provision Assessment) and road network data from OpenStreetMap, a routing algorithm is implemented to quantify the distance between the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) clusters and their nearest health facility
Summary
Abstract: Among the many barriers to obtaining health care, spatial access is among the most critical, especially in low- and middleincome countries (LMICs). The average distance to a hospital in LMICs is approximately 30 kilometers, compared to around 5 kilometers in high-income countries (Meara et al, 2015). The lack of geographic access to health care can increase the risk of delayed treatment or lack thereof, leading to increased adverse health outcomes, including death.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
