The Residential Segregation Indices in Hormozgan Province Using 2006 Iranian Census Data

Abstract

Background & Objectives: One of the major questions in epidemiological and social science researches is studying the relationship of the living place with social and health outcomes. In this study, we measured segregation indices for a number of important socioeconomic indices using the 2006 Iranian census data to find out whether residential segregation is correlated with the available differences in the health level in the subgroups of certain variables. Methods: Twenty percent of the 2006 national census data was used for measuring segregation indices. Residential segregation indices were measured once for Hormozgan Province among its eleven cities and then for each city among theirs sections. Six segregation indices were measured. We used the common cut points for interpreting the values of dissimilarity index and information theory index. Results: According to the dissimilarity and information theory index, the segregation of most of the variables in the province fell within the category of mild segregation. Segregation of the variables in some cities fell within the category of moderate, severe, and even extreme. Conclusion: The results indicated improper distribution of some of these variables in geographic units in some of the cities of Hormozgan Province. This information can help the authorities who are committed to implementing the health equity and social justice.

Keywords

• Residential segregation
• Segregation indices
• Census data
• Hormozgan province