Geospatial Modelling of Emergency Healthcare Accessibility: Travel Time Analysis and Service Catchment Delineation of Tertiary Health Facilities in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria
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Abstract
This study assessed the accessibility of emergency healthcare services to tertiary healthcare facilities in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria, using geospatial modelling techniques. The study examined travel time patterns, service catchment areas, and the spatial distribution of tertiary healthcare facilities to assess the accessibility residents enjoy. Spatial data on healthcare facility locations, road networks, settlements, and administrative boundaries were integrated within a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. Network analysis and travel-time modelling techniques were employed to generate accessibility maps and delineate service catchment areas. Also, Average Nearest Neighbour (ANN) analysis was used to evaluate the spatial distribution pattern of tertiary healthcare facilities. The findings revealed that 75.5% of respondents resided within 1 km of a healthcare facility, while 76.1% could access healthcare services within 30 minutes. Travel-time maps showed that most parts of the metropolis fall within favourable accessibility zones, although some peripheral communities experience relatively longer travel times and reduced service coverage. The ANN analysis produced a nearest neighbour ratio of 0.843, a z-score of -2.808, and a p-value of 0.00497, indicating a statistically significant clustered distribution of tertiary healthcare facilities. The study concludes that while emergency healthcare accessibility is generally satisfactory within the urban core, spatial inequalities exist in outlying areas. It recommends the strategic expansion of healthcare infrastructure, improvement of transportation networks, and integration of GIS-based decision-support systems into healthcare planning to enhance equitable access to emergency healthcare services.
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