Estimating Congenital Cardiac Surgical Need in Africa Using Geographic Distribution of Surgeons.

ABSTRACT: Background: Access to congenital cardiac surgical care in Africa is limited and poorly characterized, with current assessments examining only the number of surgeons in individual countries compared to their respective national population. Objective: To characterize geographic catchment areas in Africa served by the nearest congenital cardiac surgeon(s), estimate patient travel distance, and map both the incidence and unmet surgical need due to congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: Subnational population, CHD incidence, surgeon, and geographic data were collected from credible, publicly accessible sources. Quantum Geographic Information System was used to create a subnational map of Africa and conduct nearest neighbor analyses to determine the location and distance o

SUBMITTER: Leith J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12227093 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature