ASSESSEMENT OF SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND ACCESSIBILITY OF PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRES IN ZURU L.G.A KEBBI STATE

Abstract

A primary health centre (PHC) is the closest health facility to the community meant to serve everyone. The adequacy of PHCs depends on its close proximity to settlements which is also influenced by the spatial distribution pattern of PHCs. this study aimed at assessing the spatial distribution pattern and accessibility of PHCs in Zuru. 6 wards were sampled out of the 10 existing wards in Zuru local government. Geospatial datasets which include geographical coordinates and existing road networks datasets were used in this study. Average Nearest Neighbour, Euclidean Method and Network Analysis were used to analyse spatial distribution and accessibility respectively using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Result showed that the PHCs in Zuru local government exhibit a dispersed pattern of distribution with a p-value of 0.041876, z-score of 2.034746 and Average Nearest Neighbour Ratio of 1.284260. Using 5km walking distance as a parameter to analyse accessibility, service areas of each PHC was determined using both the Euclidean Method and Network Analyst. Settlement within the service areas can access a PHC within 5km walking distance while settlements outside the service areas travel more than 5km to the nearest PHCs and as such are regarded as the deprived settlements. Some settlements in Bedi and Tadurga wards were identified as deprived settlements and as such are in need of a PHC in other to enhance accessibility to primary health care services within zuru local government.