Analysis of the spatial distribution of health care centers of Shahrekord by geographical information system

Inappropriate physical development and failure to allocate urban facilities appropriately such as disproportionate distribution of health care centers has caused waste of material and human resources and urban problems for citizens. The purpose of this study was to identify the districts lacking satisfactory access to health services for the optimal distribution of health facilities based on health equity in all districts of Shahrekord. This was a descriptive-analytical study based on documentary research methods. After integrating the data of all 10 health care centers and stations across Shahrekord, by geographical information system with determination of the radius of performance and availability in 2011-2012, the spatial distribution of these centers after analysis using hierarchical analysis of the data, ranking of the districts was run. The data of health care centers and stations in Shahrekord showed that there is large difference among all health care centers and stations of Shahrekord in maximum to minimum covered area (4.4 times), population (2.3 times) and population density (2.6 times). Peripheral areas of the north, south and east had an inappropriate access compared with the center of the city and 70% of density of the health care centers and stations of Shahrekord lacked appropriate distribution. The results indicate that density of the health care centers and stations of Shahrekord lacked appropriate distribution and no appropriate distribution was seen. Irrational distribution and disproportionate zoning of health units lead to decrease in the level of access, which is followed by possibility of declined levels of indicators of health equity.