Geospatial Analysis of Dental Access and Workforce Distribution in Kenya

Kemoli, A. M.; Okumu, B. A.; Seminario, Ana L.; Tennant, M.; Kruger, E.; Roberts, F. A.

dc.contributor.author	Okumu, B. A.
dc.contributor.author	Tennant, M.
dc.contributor.author	Kruger, E.
dc.contributor.author	Kemoli, A. M.
dc.contributor.author	Roberts, F. A.
dc.contributor.author	Seminario, Ana L.
dc.date.accessioned	2022-12-14T14:25:33Z
dc.date.available	2022-12-14T14:25:33Z
dc.date.issued	2022
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12866/12868
dc.description.abstract	Background and Objective: One of the major factors affecting access to quality oral healthcare in low-and middle-income countries is the under-supply of the dental workforce. The aim of this study was to use Geographical Information System (GIS) to analyse the distribution and accessibility of the dental workforce and facilities across the Kenyan counties. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study targeting dental professionals and their practices in Kenya in 2013. Using QGIS 3.16, these data were overlaid with data on population size and urbanization levels. For access measurement, buffers were drawn around each clinic at distances of 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 km, and the population within each determined. Findings: Nine hundred six dental professionals in 337 dental clinic locations were included in the study. Dentists, community oral health officers (equivalent to dental therapists) and dental technologists comprised 72%, 15% and 12%, respectively. Nairobi county with 100% urbanization and >4000 people/km2 had 43% of the workforce and a dentist to population ratio of 1:9,018. Wajir with an urbanization level of 15% and 12 people/km2 had no dental facility. Overall, 11%, 19%, 35% and 58% of the Kenyan population were within 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 km radius of a dental clinic respectively. Conclusion: Maldistribution of dental workforce in Kenya persists, particularly in less urbanized and sparsely populated areas. GIS map production give health planners a better visual picture of areas that are most in need of health care services based on population profiles	en_US
dc.language.iso	eng
dc.publisher	Levy Library Press
dc.relation.ispartofseries	Annals of Global Health
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
dc.subject	dental workforce distribution	en_US
dc.subject	dentists	en_US
dc.subject	dental access	en_US
dc.subject	urbanization	en_US
dc.subject	population size	en_US
dc.subject	Geographical Information System	en_US
dc.subject	Kenya	en_US
dc.title	Geospatial Analysis of Dental Access and Workforce Distribution in Kenya	en_US
dc.type	info:eu-repo/semantics/article
dc.identifier.doi	https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.3903
dc.subject.ocde	https://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#3.02.14
dc.relation.issn	2214-9996