Characterizing the geography of potential healthcare accessibility in informal settlements in the Greater Kumasi area of Ghana. (1st January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dumedah, Gift; Arthur, Joshua; Kokroko, Jesse Senyo; Ampofo, Solomon Twum; Okyere, Precious Adwoa; Tweneboah Kodua, Eric
• Is Part Of: African geographical review. Volume 42:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 46
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2023-01-01
• Subjects: Health care -- spatial accessibility -- Three-Step Floating Catchment Area (3SFCA) -- Rational Agent Access Model -- urban morphology; Africa -- Geography -- Periodicals; Africa -- Description and travel -- Periodicals; 916.005
• DOI: 10.1080/19376812.2021.1991811
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1937-6812

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Characterizing accessibility to healthcare is complex, requiring the consideration of geography, socioeconomic and cultural factors. The Three-Step Floating Catchment Area (3SFCA) was used to account for population demand, the capacity of health facilities, and the geographic separations between locations of demand and supply in the Greater Kumasi, Ghana. The results show that accessibility to healthcare is low, about 2.34 physicians per 10, 000 persons. The facilities have favorable geography: high number, detailed coverage, and proximity, but plagued with low numbers of physicians and high demand. The study synthesized analytical results with questionnaire survey to better characterize accessibility to healthcare by geography.