Geospatial mapping and analysis of public health care facilities in OBIO/AKPOR LGA, rivers state, Nigeria

Abstract

This work aims at geospatial mapping of healthcare facilities in Obio/Akpor LGA in Rivers State. The objectives are to acquire primary and secondary data sets within the study area, to create a functional spatial database on health facilities, and to perform various spatial and attrib-ute query that will aid the mapping of healthcare facilities. Primary data for healthcare facilities location was acquired with Global Positional Systems (GPS) receiver. Google earth Pro Satellite imagery was used. Secondary data was obtained from relevant government agency. ArcGIS 10 version software was used for data processing and analysis. Various spatial and attribute queries was formulated for geospatial mapping of healthcare facilities. The results show the distribution of health facilities within the study area on a digital map in form of maps and tabular data among others. Results obtained show that 10 healthcare facilities have least at 10000 populations. Four facilities were found to have no medical doctor. Two healthcare facilities were found to be located in ward 14. Fourteen healthcare facilities were found to have at least total of 10 personnel, the highest personnel per facilities and a total of 16 healthcare facilities were distributed all over the study area. A total of 37 settlements were distributed all over the study area. Over 21 settlements are left out of the service areas of 1km. PHC Ru-muokwuta and St Jude Hospital Rumuokoro have least healthcare personnel of 6 and 5 respectively. 10 healthcare facilities have at least 10000 populations to physician ratio standard recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). The creation of Geospatial health in-formation systems is useful in data collection and management of healthcare facilities within the study area and Nigeria in general.