title: Spatial data analysis and the use of maps in scientific health articles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the growing number of studies with a characteristic element of spatial analysis, the application of the techniques is not always clear and its continuity in epidemiological studies requires careful evaluation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To verify the spread and use of those processes in national and international scientific papers.
  
  
  METHODS
  An assessment was made of periodicals according to the impact index. Among 8,281 journals surveyed, four national and four international were selected, of which 1,274 articles were analyzed regarding the presence or absence of spatial analysis techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Just over 10% of articles published in 2011 in high impact journals, both national and international, showed some element of geographical location.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although these percentages vary greatly from one journal to another, denoting different publication profiles, we consider this percentage as an indication that location variables have become an important factor in studies of health.
authors.affiliation: PhD in Epidemiology - Professor at Health Science Postgraduate Program, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana Bertoldi
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Nucci
authors.affiliation: Medical degree from PUC-Campinas. Medical Resident at Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrick Theodore
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Souccar
authors.affiliation: PhD in Child and Adolescent Health - Professor at Medical School, PUC-Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvia Diez
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Castilho
mesh_terms: D062305:Geographic Mapping; D006801:Humans; D055811:Journal Impact Factor; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D062206:Spatial Analysis