عنوان به زبان ديگر :
The Application of Geographical Information System in Explaining Spatial Distribution of Low Birth Weight; a Case Study in North of Iran
پديد آورندگان :
Shakiba M. نويسنده , Haghdoost A. A. نويسنده , Majdzadeb S. R. نويسنده
چكيده لاتين :
Background: Geographical Information System is a new tool
in environmental epidemiology that makes the opportunity of
visualization and analysis of spatial data. The aim of this study
was to determine the geographi c variation of low birth weight
using geographic information system in order to evaluate the
efficacy of primary health care and health information system.
Methods: Low birth weight records in rural areas of Rasht
district (north of Iran) were collected from the records of
health care centers and health houses. Electronic map of the
Rasht district was collected from National Cartographic Center.
Health information was collected from health surveillance
data in each village. The three layers of data were analyzed
using ArcView program.
Results: The prevalence of low birth weight was 0.049. Using
kernel smoothing method, three major and two minor hot
spots were identified within Rasht district, mostly in northern
part. Existence of health houses was found to be statistically
significant in explaining low birth weight risk.
Conclusion: This research examined geographic variation of
LBW in Rasht district and found hot spot places. Existing of
health house was associated with higher risk of low birth weight.
