Web-Based Geographic Information System for Location Based Healthcare Service Delivery within Akure Metropolis

Purpose: This research project addresses the pressing issue of healthcare access within Akure Metropolis, Nigeria, through the development of a web-based Health Geoinformation System (HGS). Akure, like many urban centers in developing countries, faces significant challenges in healthcare delivery, including uneven distribution of facilities and limited access to reliable health information. In response to these challenges, this study leverages Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to create an innovative solution aimed at enhancing accessibility and information dissemination. Grounded in the context of Nigeria's healthcare system, the research identifies the need for an integrated approach to address the complex spatial dynamics of healthcare provision. Materials and Methods: Methodologically, the project combines primary data collection on the characteristics of health facilities in Akure with secondary data sources, including existing health records. A total of 100 healthcare facilities were located and identified for this study, with comprehensive information collected through three sets of questionnaires directed to healthcare facility managers and professionals, hospital management bodies, and the public. The data collection process employed Binary Logistic Regression to test research hypotheses, with charts utilized to represent public responses to the posed questions. Spatial representation and analysis were central to this study, with techniques such as Nearest Neighbor Analysis employed to assess the distribution and accessibility of health facilities. Findings: The results from this analysis revealed significant spatial patterns and disparities in healthcare facility distribution within Akure Metropolis. Notably, the study found that a developed web-based system having user-friendly functionalities like facility search, mapping, and route selection, among others, aids individuals in making informed decisions about their healthcare options. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The results underline the potential of web-based systems to enhance healthcare access and decision-making processes in urban areas like Akure and further emphasize the significance of incorporating GIS technology into healthcare service delivery.