Evaluation of Health Indexes using Scalogram Method

Health Indexes is one of the most important of indicator in rural development. Rural development is an increase in the wealth and qualitative transformation of social, economic, political and cultural systems in the village; therefore, it is considered as a practical solution for economic, social and cultural development. To classify areas based on health indicators, the first step is to identify the indicators and then measure the health index. There are different methods for measuring the health index, one of which is the scalogram classification method. This method is used to determine the levels of development in planning and various space-related data are used as its variables. The main advantages of this approach are its simplicity and dynamism, while it can be considered in future planning. In this study, the scalogram method was used to calculate health index. The study area was Gonabad which consists of a total of ۱۴۳ villages, ۷۹ of which have permanent inhabitants. To calculate the health index, ۱۱ indicators were used. The results of the health classification have been reported in this paper. The results indicate that Kakhk is an undeveloped region despite the availability of natural and water resources, whereas Paskalot, Zaibad and Homeh villages are classified at the developed level. The main reasons for the underdevelopment of many villages in Kakhk is small population and lack of healthcare and administrative facilities and the lack of appropriate rural roads.