Spatial analysis of alcohol-related mortality in Slovakia

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between alcohol-related mortality in Slovak regions, as represented by Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) III level. Methods: We used data from mortality reports spanning 1996–2017 in the Slovak Republic. Data was provided by the National Health Information Centre in Slovakia. We applied two-dimensional correspondence analysis where the dimensions are regions and selected alcohol-related deaths diagnoses are classified by the International Classification of Diseases. Results: Analysis revealed a relationship between the Prešov region and diagnoses I42 – Cardiomyopathy and K29 – Alcoholic gastritis. Furthermore, the Banská Bystrica and Žilina regions correspond to G31 – Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol and K86 – Alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis. In the case of K70 – Alcoholic liver disease – the Banská Bystrica, Trenčín and Nitra regions are identified as regions which have an intermediate relationship with this diagnosis. The Trnava region corresponds to F10 – Acute alcohol intoxication. The Trenčín and Nitra regions correspond closely to G62 – Alcoholic polyneuropathy. Perfect correspondence can be seen between the Košice region and K73 – Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified. K74 – Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver diagnosis also corresponds with the Košice region. Conclusions: The results of this analysis provide valuable insights for national and regional health policymakers in the process of preparing high-quality health regional plans, as well as retrospectively assessing the success of existing health policies and interventions in this area. Facts presented in the study justify the need for specialised health care, which is part of the process of building an Integrated Health Care Centre in Slovakia.