Spatial distribution of community health service institutions in Guiyang city:an analysis with GIS

Objective To explore the spatial distribution characteristics of community health service institutions in Guiyang city and to provide references for reasonable regional health planning.Methods We collected relevant information from Health and Family Planning Commission and official website of Guiyang municipal government.Kernel density estimation,buffer analysis,overlays analysis,and site selection tools were used in the study.Results Totally 136 community health service institutions(58 centers and 78 clinics)distributed in 92 communities and the overall coverage rate of community health service institution was 47.47% in Guiyang municipality in 2014.Of all the community health service institutions,99(72.78%)located in 3 districts(Yunyan,Nanming,and Huaxi)and there were 4 regions with relative dense distribution of the institutions,e.g.2 junction areas between Yunyan and Nanming district and between Huaxi and Nanming district and 2 southwest areas of Baiyun and Wudang district.The community health resources mainly distributed in downtown areas(Yunyan and Nanming district)and north area(Baiyun district)of the city.There were 8.70%(8/92)of the communities(mainly in urban border areas)without community health service institution.There were 25.74%(35/136)of community health service institutions locating outside of the administrative scope of the community and 76.92%(60/78) of the community health service clinics located within the service radius(1500 meters)of the community health service center.Conclusion The community health service institutions concentrate in the central urban areas of Guiyang municipality and the overall coverage of the institutions is relatively low;in addition,there are unbalanced distribution of community health resource and unreasonable location of community health service institutions in the city.