Population weighted raster maps can communicate findings of social audits : examples from three continents
Date
2011
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Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
Background: Maps can portray trends, patterns, and spatial differences that might be overlooked in tabular data
and are now widely used in health research. Little has been reported about the process of using maps to
communicate epidemiological findings.
Method: Population weighted raster maps show colour changes over the study area. Similar to the rasters of
barometric pressure in a weather map, data are the health occurrence – a peak on the map represents a higher
value of the indicator in question. The population relevance of each sentinel site, as determined in the stratified
last stage random sample, combines with geography (inverse-distance weighting) to provide a populationweighted
extension of each colour. This transforms the map to show population space rather than simply
geographic space.
Results: Maps allowed discussion of strategies to reduce violence against women in a context of political sensitivity
about quoting summary indicator figures. Time-series maps showed planners how experiences of health services
had deteriorated despite a reform programme; where in a country HIV risk behaviours were improving; and how
knowledge of an economic development programme quickly fell off across a region. Change maps highlighted
where indicators were improving and where they were deteriorating. Maps of potential impact of interventions,
based on multivariate modelling, displayed how partial and full implementation of programmes could improve
outcomes across a country. Scale depends on context. To support local planning, district maps or local government
authority maps of health indicators were more useful than national maps; but multinational maps of outcomes
were more useful for regional institutions. Mapping was useful to illustrate in which districts enrolment in religious
schools – a rare occurrence - was more prevalent.
Conclusions: Population weighted raster maps can present social audit findings in an accessible and compelling
way, increasing the use of evidence by planners with limited numeracy skills or little time to look at evidence.
Maps complement epidemiological analysis, but they are not a substitute. Much less do they substitute for rigorous
epidemiological designs, like randomised controlled trials.
Description
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Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
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Text
Keywords
SOCIAL AUDIT, SPATIAL ANALYSIS, MAPS, INFORMATION SYSTEMS, HEALTH PLANNING, HEALTH INFORMATION
Citation
Mitchell, S., Cockcroft, A., & Andersson, N. (2011). Population weighted raster maps can communicate findings of social audits: examples from three continents. BMC Health Services Research, 11(Suppl 2):S14, 1-21.doi:10.1186/1472-6963-11-S2-S14