The Application of Geographic Information System for Assessing the Risk Level of Hypertension in Samut Songkhram Province.

This study aims to examined factors associated with hypertension patients and to create spatial models to assesses the risk level for hypertension in Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand. We performed a secondary analysis of data to find causes and relationships between seven factors and hypertension patients. Seven experts used impact feedback to analyze the results of GIS and the risk levels of hypertension. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results indicated that seven factors were associated with the occurrence of hypertension: age, occupation, land use, population density, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. This study also found 87 villages within high risk areas in Muang Samut Songkhram district. While the moderate risk areas included 96 villages in Amphawa District. As for the lowrisk areas, there were a total of 101 villages located in Bang Khonthi District. The results confirm that the application of GIS for assessing the risk level of hypertension were accurate and effectively in high risk, moderate risk, and low risk areas. Public health sectors strategize to support health and wellness in patients with hypertension and reflect more opportunity for healthcare providers in the area of health promotion and disease prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]