title: Utilizing Geographic Information Systems in community assessment and nursing research.
abstract: Application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in health sciences is relatively new, but it appears to be expanding faster than any other areas of GIS application. Although health scientists have long been using geographic information conceptually, the current availability of user-friendly GIS tools has caused a rapid endorsement of GIS in community health research. Locations of disease incidence, surrounding environments, health care facilities, geographic boundaries of the communities, and other essential community infrastructures have always been essential components of epidemiological and health care studies. This article provides an example of the effective use of GIS in a community assessment project. The purpose of this project was to survey the households in Hinds County, Mississippi, to assess community health status and the under-utilization of health care services. Ultimately, the assessment will be used to positively influence health outcomes within defined geographic communities. Community assessment was accomplished using extensive face-to-face surveys coupled with GIS technology to optimize the process and to evaluate the results.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216-4505, USA. FFaruque@son.umsmed.edu
authors.forename: Fazlay S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Faruque
authors.forename: Susan P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Lofton
authors.forename: Theresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Doddato
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mangum
mesh_terms: D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D040362:Geographic Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008922:Mississippi; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*