GIS-BASED MULTI-CRITERIA ANALYSIS OF ACCESSIBILITY TO HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

ABSTRACT

This study examines multi-criteria analysis of accessibility to healthcare facilities in Benin metropolis using GIS Based approach with a view of providing information for policy response that could assist in improving accessibility to healthcare facilities. The objective of the study was to map various healthcare facilities in Benin metropolis, examine the level of accessibility in the study area, examine the socio-economic characteristics of the residents in relation to the type of healthcare facilities used in the study area as well as develop multi-criteria accessibility index map of the healthcare facilities. The data used for the study were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were sourced through collection of ground control points of HCFs using GPS, questionnaire administration and oral interview. Secondary data included the base map and Google Earth image of Benin Metropolis. The data were analyzed using geographic information Techniques (ArcGIS 10.2 software). The results subsequently revealed that there are two hundred and eighty-three (283) healthcare facilities in Benin Metropolis, mainly concentrated around areas within the traditional Core Areas and the transitional Zone of the study area, the distributional pattern of the healthcare facilities in the study area revealed that the pattern of the hospitals, specialist hospitals Clinics and Maternity as well as Medical Centers are clustered while only PHCs were randomly distributed across strategic areas in Benin Metropolis, the study revealed location of HCFs in Benin Metropolis is characterized by significant disparities (Idokpa, Iwu, Okhunmwum). The study revealed that medical centres, clinic and maternity and primary healthcare centres constitute the highest number of the healthcare facilities in Benin Metropolis with 26.6%, 21.55 and 20.14% respectively. Furthermore, the study revealed that within 3km and 4km WHO distance threshold, communities