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The impact of road construction on the spatial characteristics of hospital utilization in the Meru district of Kenya

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  • Airey, Tony

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of road construction on the catchment area of a church hospital. It is hypothesized that the new road will reduce the spatial and travel cost relationships for the hospital's patients. Analysis of the data suggests that the space-reducing effect of the new road is more important than its effect on travel costs. Reductions in the cost of travel have not significantly changed the spatial pattern of in-patient utilization. In contrast, out-patients show the hospital is attracting patients from further afield, though this involves a similar expenditure on fares to that prior to road construction. Institutional barriers, particularly the economic barrier of free-paying treatment, are found to be the main explanation for this finding. The high cost of medical treatment also goes some way towards explaining the low level of child treatment apparent in the patient records.

Suggested Citation

  • Airey, Tony, 1992. "The impact of road construction on the spatial characteristics of hospital utilization in the Meru district of Kenya," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 1135-1146, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:34:y:1992:i:10:p:1135-1146
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    Cited by:

    1. Patarasuk, Risa, 2013. "Road network connectivity and land-cover dynamics in Lop Buri province, Thailand," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 111-123.
    2. Porter, Gina, 2002. "Living in a Walking World: Rural Mobility and Social Equity Issues in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 285-300, February.
    3. Hampshire, Kate R. & Porter, Gina & Owusu, Samuel Asiedu & Tanle, Augustine & Abane, Albert, 2011. "Out of the reach of children? Young people's health-seeking practices and agency in Africa's newly-emerging therapeutic landscapes," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(5), pages 702-710, September.

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