TITLE:
Geographical Analysis of Smoking in Leeds: A GIS-Based Location-Allocation Technique for the Optimal Location of Smoking Cessation Services
AUTHORS:
Mildred Oiza Ajebon, Monday Ohi Asikhia
KEYWORDS:
GIS; Location-Allocation; Optimization; Smoking Cessation Services
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geographic Information System,
Vol.5 No.3,
June
19,
2013
ABSTRACT: Smoking is associated with several illnesses in the UK. Smoking
rate in Leeds is higher than the national
average. Finding optimal locations for stop-smoking services will be a good
place to start in reducing smoking rates. The study utilizes a GIS-Based
location-allocation method for the optimal distribution of smoking cessation
centres in relation to the spatial distribution of the smoking population in Leeds. The demand for the smoking cessation clinics was
estimated based on the 2009 General Life Style (GLS) statistics on age and
social class stratification of smoking rates for the UK. Leeds specific rates were then
obtained from the 2001 census key statistics data on socioeconomic status and
age structure for output areas via Census Area Statistics Website (CASWEB). The
research findings show that spatial inequalities in smoking rate exist in output
areas of Leeds. Poorer and non-skilled populations are demonstrated to have
higher smoking rates compared with wealthier neighbourhoods. The study confirms the capability of GIS-Based
location-allocation techniques to be useful modelling tools for determining the best locations for health facilities. The
model allocates services in relation to the spatial patterns of demand in a
fashion that minimises average travel distance.