Geography and Human Relationships

Geography and Human Relationships

Analysis of the spatial pattern of health centers in Khorramabad city using the AHP-FUZZY hybrid model

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 ACECR lorestan Branch
2 Assistant Professor, Urban Planning Department, Lorestan University
3 ACECR
4 PhD in Health Information Management, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
10.22034/gahr.2025.529751.2508
Abstract
. One of the essentials of providing health care services is to pay attention to social and spatial justice. Equitable access to health care services is considered a fundamental human right. However, this is often not the case, especially in developing countries where health care systems are limited. The aim of this study is to analyze the spatial pattern of health care centers in Khorramabad city, identify areas with poor access, and determine the most optimal locations for the construction of new health care centers. This study emphasizes the importance of eliminating geographical inequalities in access to health care centers to enhance spatial equity and an efficient referral system. In this study, first, the indicators affecting the location of health centers were determined using the opinions of experts and studies. These indicators were weighted according to their importance from the experts' perspective. Then, the AHP-FUZZY hybrid model was used to achieve the best location. Also, in order to identify the distribution pattern of health-treatment centers, the nearest neighbor distance (NNA) method was used. The results of the study showed that the distribution pattern of health-treatment centers in the city of Khorramabad is random with the nearest neighbor index value (0.947) and the distribution of health-treatment centers in the city of Khorramabad does not follow a regular and fair pattern. In addition, map analysis showed that the northern, western, and eastern parts of Khorramabad city do not have proper access to health-treatment centers. Also, using the AHP-FUZZY hybrid model, Khorramabad city was identified as priority areas for the establishment of new health-treatment centers. Finally, three locations in the north, west, and east of Khorramabad city were identified for the construction of new health-treatment centers and in order to improve the appropriate spatial distribution of these centers and observe social justice.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 27 June 2025

  • Receive Date 10 June 2025
  • Accept Date 27 June 2025