Spatial Distribution of Diabetes Prevalence Rates and Its Relationship with the Regional Characteristics / 보건행정학회지

ABSTRACT

This study purposed to analyze the relationship between spatial distribution of Diabetes prevalence rates and regional variables. The unit of analysis was administrative districts of city·gun·gu. Dependent variable was the age- and sex- adjusted diabetes prevalence rates and regional variables were selected to represent three aspects demographic and socioeconomic factor, health and medical factor, and physical environment factor. Along with the traditional ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis, geographically weighted regression (GWR) was applied for the spatial analysis. Analysis results showed that age- and sex-adjusted diabetes prevalence rates were varied depending on regions. OLS regression showed that diabetes prevalence rates had significant relationships with percent of population over age 65 and financial independence rate. In GWR, the effects of regional variables were not consistent. These results provide information to health policy makers. Regional characteristics should be considered in allocating health resources and developing health related programs for the regional disease management.