Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
09:50
Real-World M3-BREATHE: Toward Multimodal Mobile Monitoring of Behaviour, Respiration, and Exposures for Treatment and Health Evaluation
Published on: June 5, 2026
Assessing Geographic Inequalities in Childhood Immunisation Coverage: A Critical Scoping Review of Spatial Analysis
Adrien Allorant1,2, Nicole Bergen1, M Carolina Danovaro-Holliday3
1Department of Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI, World Health Organization, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
Vaccines
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Spatial analysis methods reveal geographic inequalities in childhood immunisation coverage. Co-production with programme teams and transparent reporting enhance their use for improving immunisation equity.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Public Health
Background:
- Spatial analysis methods (MBG, SAE, cluster detection) are increasingly used for mapping subnational immunisation coverage and identifying geographic inequalities in LMICs.
- The extent to which these methods capture multidimensional determinants of immunisation uptake and inform programme decisions remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review the application of spatial statistical methods in childhood immunisation coverage and equity research.
- To assess the operational relevance and programmatic uptake of spatial analysis outputs.
Main Methods:
- A critical scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
- Systematic searches of PubMed and Google Scholar for relevant studies.
- Synthesis of findings using descriptive, thematic, and interpretive synthesis.
Main Results:
- 50 studies were included, revealing subnational immunisation coverage inequalities missed by national averages.
- Studies co-produced with national programme teams, integrating routine data and surveys, yielded the most operationally relevant outputs.
- Limited incorporation of supply-side determinants and unclear guidance on handling estimate uncertainty were noted. Programmatic uptake of spatial outputs was largely undocumented.
Conclusions:
- Spatial methods are valuable for immunisation equity when co-produced with programme teams, using decision-relevant geographies, and with transparent documentation of limitations.
- Future research should focus on quality frameworks for algorithm-assisted health estimates and evaluating the impact of spatial outputs on decision-making.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Strategies for Assessing and Addressing Confounding
Confounding is a critical issue in epidemiological studies, often leading to misleading conclusions about associations between exposures and outcomes. It occurs when the relationship between the exposure and the outcome is mixed with the effects of other factors that influence the outcome. Given that, addressing confounding is of high importance for drawing accurate inferences in research.
Confounding can be addressed at both the design phase of a study and through analytical methods after data...
Confounding can be addressed at both the design phase of a study and through analytical methods after data...
01:21Manipulation and Analysis
GIS manipulation and analysis functions are vital for decision-making and planning. These activities range from data retrieval tasks, such as selecting information based on specific criteria, to advanced analytical techniques that address complex spatial problems.One critical GIS analysis method is overlaying, which combines multiple data layers to examine impacts. For example, overlaying a river-dammed lake boundary with road networks can identify affected infrastructure. Another common...
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...