Access to and utilization of health care

While the access to primary health care services is recognized as an important factor, it is rather their utilization that is contributing to a better health status of the population. Therefore Rwanda puts a lot of effort in the enhancement of the spatial and the financial access to health care services and its utilization. Only few studies have been dealing with the geographical access to health care in Rwanda. Until now the administrative boundaries of the sectors are considered as catchment areas of health centers but available data give the impression that not all patients follow this presetting. The present study was conducted with the scope to contribute to the discussion of analyzing access and utilization in the context of the geographies of health. The main objectives of this study have been to determine the actual catchment areas of health centers in Huye District (Southern Province, Rwanda) and to test different approaches for an improved estimation of catchment areas. To identify the actual catchment areas, utilization data of health centers was analyzed and used for the validation of the different approaches. The comparison of different methods used in the GIS will add to a better understanding of their application. Additionally the study hopes to contribute to the general health care improvement process in Rwanda