1. Impact of Traffic Congestion on Spatial Access to Healthcare Services in Nairobi: an ecological study
- Author
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Mutono Nyamai, Samuel M. Thumbi, Henry Mutembei, James S. Wright, and Mumbua Mutunga
- Subjects
Traffic congestion ,business.industry ,Health care ,Ecological study ,Business ,Environmental planning - Abstract
Background Geographic accessibility is an important determinant of healthcare utilisation and is critical for achievement of universal health coverage. Despite the high disease burden and severe traffic congestion in many African cities, few studies have assessed how traffic congestion impacts geographical access to healthcare facilities and to health professionals in these settings. Methods Using data on health facilities obtained from the Ministry of Health in Kenya, we mapped 944 primary, 94 secondary and four tertiary healthcare facilities in Nairobi County. We then used traffic probe data to identify areas within a 15-, 30- and 45-minute drive from each health facility during peak and off-peak hours and calculated the proportion of the population with access to healthcare in the County. We employed a 2-step floating catchment area model to calculate the ratio of healthcare and healthcare professionals to population during these times. Results During peak hours, 75% during off-peak hours. In 45 minutes, the majority of the population had an accessibility index of one health facility accessible to more than 100 people (0.00002) respectively. Of people with access to health facilities, a sub-optimal ratio of
- Published
- 2022
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