Mapping the Malaysian Smoking Cessation Clinics: A Geographic Information System–Based Study

Although geographic information system–based studies are particularly increasing in other sectors, few have embraced their full potential in health services allocation in Malaysia. This study aimed to produce a visual map on the distribution of smoking cessation clinics (SCCs) in Malaysia and analyz...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health
Main Author: Md Bohari N.F.; Sabri N.F.; Wan Rasdi W.N.D.; Mohd Radzi N.A.; Bakri N.N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publications Inc. 2021
Online Access:https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85097992032&doi=10.1177%2f1010539520982718&partnerID=40&md5=93dfc86edc6d13b77b1206afc9cb653b
Description
Summary:Although geographic information system–based studies are particularly increasing in other sectors, few have embraced their full potential in health services allocation in Malaysia. This study aimed to produce a visual map on the distribution of smoking cessation clinics (SCCs) in Malaysia and analyze its pattern against the national population of smokers. SCC addresses were obtained from the government website and mapped using geographic information system tools. A total of 199 and 449 private and public SCCs was mapped throughout the country, respectively. The lowest SCC to smoker population ratio was in the state of Negeri Sembilan with 1:3000. The highest SCC to smoker population ratio was in Sabah with 1 SCC for 15 000 smokers. Almost 70% of SCCs were primary health clinics. Smoking cessation clinics were distributed throughout all the states in Malaysia except the state of Sabah. © 2020 APJPH.
ISSN:10105395
DOI:10.1177/1010539520982718