Using a geographic information system to identify the number and location of new health centres needed in the city of Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran

Background Inappropriate distribution of health centres can increase inequities in health care. A geographic information system (GIS) is a useful tool to help plan, monitor and evaluate health systems by analysing and visualizing geospatial data. Aims This study aimed to propose an optimal model for establishing new health centres in the city of Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran using GIS. Methods In this descriptive analytical study, the number and location of health centres and people's access to them across Kermanshah were evaluated using the GIS system, ArcGIS 10.3, for the years 1997, 2007 and 2012. To determine the best locations for establishing health centres, five principles were considered: access, distance, service delivery radius, proximity to areas of compatible and incompatible land-use, and population density. Results In spite of an increase in the number of health centres in Kermanshah between 1997 and 2012, the population without access to such centres also increased, and this varied by age group. Based on the final map of all the land in Kermanshah, 6% of the land was considered unsuitable or very unsuitable, 16% medium suitability, and 78% good or very good for the location of health centres in Kermanshah city. Conclusion The spatial distribution of health centres (in terms of the radius of access) and compatibility of the land-use were not properly considered over the 15-year period. To provide health coverage for the current population in the city of Kermanshah, 13 new health centres are needed in suitable locations.