HOSPITAL CATCHMENT AREAS AND SURGERY IN MERU DISTRICT, KENYA

This study of the geographical locations of homesteads of patients und ergoing surgery at three hospitals in Meru district, Kenya, showed lar gely overlapping catchment areas. It also showed catchment areas varyi ng in size with the type of surgical operation under study: Caesarean section, exploratory laparotomy, uterine evacuation, tubal ligation, a nd normal child delivery. We conclude that catchment areas vary with t he disease condition and the health care intervention under study. A p recise definition of the catchment area population concept should be d eveloped by ministries of health and then explained to district health teams and healthcare facility managers for local use in epidemiologic al surveillance and health care planning.