title: [Potential accessibility to mental health services in Montreal: a geographical information system approach].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The inequitable spatial distribution of health resources is a major public health problem because it exacerbates the spatial disparities of access and use of health services. However, efforts to quantify the problem and its consequences on public health have been hampered by a lack of adequate measures and methods. This study explores the spatial potential accessibility to mental health services in a heterogeneous urban environment and evaluates inequities in access to services in deprived areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study examines the spatial accessibility to mental health services in the Island of Montreal. All mental health services were geocoded from the six-digital postal code using the software ArcGIS 9.3. Accessibility was assessed through the two step floating catchment area method using the shortest route through a road network more often called reticular distance. This method takes into account the whole population, which is considered as the potential demand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, accessibility to mental health services seems high in Montreal. It can be seen that at a distance of 1 km, nearly 90% of the territory is accessible. However, we also note that accessibility scores greatly diminish with distance. At 1 km, there are about 10.05 services for 10,000 persons and at 3 km, there is only 1.12 services for 10,000 persons. Over 50% of non-accessible areas are concentrated in the first quartile of deprivation and less than 10% are found in the fourth quartile, indicating good accessibility in severely deprived areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accessibility to health services will always be the dominant issue debate in developing and undeveloped countries over the next decade. It is therefore urgent to develop technical and methodological tools to study and anticipate areas that may face services' shortage.
authors: Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale Douglas, 6875, boulevard Lasalle, Verdun, Montréal (Québec), H4H 1R3, Canada. Ngui-ngaminingui@gmail.com
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ngamini Ngui
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Apparicio
mesh_terms: D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D011792:Quebec; D014505:Urban Population