%0 Journal Article
%T A Spatial Perspective to the Distribution of Healthcare Facilities and Health Personnel in the Eastern Region of Ghana
%A Stephen Manortey
%A Gideon Kwarteng Acheampong
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 3
%N 8
%P 1-13
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2016
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1102956
%X <div style="text-align:justify;">
	<span style="line-height:1.5;">Background: A major factor for health services provision in various
communities is the concern for spatial justice in the distribution of
healthcare facilities. The eastern region with most of its population in rural
areas has been subject to frequent increases in the number of administrative
districts over time. This however has not correspondingly followed with a
significant increase in the number of health facilities and health personnel in
the region, a phenomenon that has disturbed the distribution of health facilities
and personnel, thus the purpose of this study to investigate the spatial
pattern in the distribution of health faci</span><span style="line-height:1.5;">lities and health personnel. Methods:
Data on the global positioning system of each health facility and the total
number of health workers were factored with the population in the
administrative districts of the eastern region as part of analysis to
investigate the distribution of health facilities and health personnel per
population of each district and the Region. Results: Health facilities and
health personnel were unevenly distributed, recently added districts such as
Kwahu Afram Plains South, Ayensuano, Upper West Akim along with existing ones
such as Birim South, Kwahu West, Akyem Mansa, and Kwahu East all lacked in
terms of health facilities and health personnel. Conclusions: This observed deficiency
in distribution of health facilities and health personnel has the potential to
generate productivity inequalities among residents of the Eastern Region which
in turn has a negative effect on the entire development of the region. Areas
that were identified as disadvantaged districts should be considered for
various intervention strategies.</span>
</div>
%K Health Facilities
%K Health Personnel
%K Districts
%K Municipalities
%U http://www.oalib.com/paper/5271993