Spatial Analysis of Herbal Medicine and Thai Traditional Medicine Utilization for Muscle Pain Management: An Application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Abstract
Background: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMDs) constitute a major public health problem affecting the health of the workforce and imposing substantial economic burdens. Understanding the spatial distribution of patients and patterns of healthcare utilization is essential for effective health system planning.
Objectives: To analyze the spatial distribution of WRMD patients and patterns of Thai traditional medicine utilization for treatment using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Study design: This spatial analytical study employed secondary data on WRMD patient statistics, healthcare facility distribution, labor density, and environmental factors, including topography, temperature, and humidity. Spatial analysis techniques included heat mapping, hotspot analysis, Moran’s I, and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), along with network analysis and spatial clustering to assess service accessibility and treatment patterns.
Results: Areas with high labor density exhibited significantly higher WRMD prevalence, particularly in large provinces, whereas provinces with smaller populations showed lower rates. Hot and humid climatic conditions were significantly associated with higher WRMD prevalence. In addition, Thai traditional medicine and herbal medicines were more frequently utilized in labor-dense areas, while conventional medicine was predominantly used in urban settings.
Conclusion: The spatial distribution of WRMDs is associated with environmental factors, labor characteristics, and healthcare utilization patterns. These findings provide evidence to support health policy formulation and the development of Thai traditional medicine services tailored to local spatial contexts.
Keywords: Thai traditional medicine, spatial analysis, muscle pain, health planning
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