Measuring Geographic Coverage of Methadone Clinics in Hong Kong
Author Information
Author(s): Pang Tak Ting, Lee Shui Shan
Primary Institution: Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hypothesis
Can a GIS-based framework effectively measure the geographic coverage of methadone treatment programs in Hong Kong?
Conclusion
The study concludes that the number and location of methadone clinics are crucial for effective service delivery and monitoring of harm reduction.
Supporting Evidence
- 6413 out of 11000 reported heroin addicts are geographically covered by methadone clinics.
- The average geographic coverage in Hong Kong is 44.6%, varying from 0% to 96% by district.
- One district, Sai Kung, has no methadone clinic and thus 0% coverage.
Takeaway
This study looks at how many heroin addicts can get to methadone clinics in Hong Kong and finds that not everyone can reach them easily.
Methodology
The study used GIS to analyze population and heroin addiction data to measure the geographic coverage of methadone clinics.
Potential Biases
Assumptions about walking distance and local addiction patterns may introduce bias.
Limitations
The study does not account for actual clinic coverage as many addicts may still access services outside their district.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on heroin addicts in Hong Kong, with a reported population of 11000 in 2001.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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