title: Towards the creation of a health information system for cancer in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
abstract: The paper aims to evaluate the potential of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in the creation of a health information system (HIS) for cancer. A case study describes the spatial distribution of reported cancer in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and correlates this with levels of development. The study illustrates the problems of data shortage in a developing country. The mapping of reported cancer reveals a concentration of cancer in the developed metropolitan districts, where the hospitals are located. The study therefore provides a 'geography of accessibility to treatment centres' due to the under-reporting of the disease. Despite incomplete data and under-reporting of the disease, the study illustrates the potential of GIS to add value to a HIS for cancer.
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Natal, 4041, Durban, South Africa. scottd@nu.ac.za
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: Francis O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Twumasi
mesh_terms: D003710:Demography; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D040442:Public Health Informatics; D012042:Registries; D012106:Research; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health