Spatial Distribution Patterns of Major Healthcare Centers in Wasit Governorate Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Abstract

This research aims to examine the spatial distribution of primary healthcare centers in Wasit Governorate and to identify the trends, patterns, and density of their distribution. The analysis was conducted using several statistical and spatial measures, including the mean center, median center, standard distance, directional distribution, nearest neighbor analysis, and hot spot analysis, supported by Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques The study concluded that Wasit Governorate suffers from a poor distribution of primary healthcare centers. The analysis of the direction and pattern of distribution, which was identified as a clustered–random pattern, revealed that these centers are concentrated in the governorate’s center, while the remaining districts and sub-districts experience dispersion and deprivation. This finding was further confirmed through hot spot analysis.