[Geoprocessing of health data: treatment of information on addresses]

Abstract

This paper analyzes the current status of address data in the Brazilian Health Information System (SIS), with a view towards mapping large-city health events in geographic information systems (GIS) for risk analysis and evaluation. It is thus necessary to geocode these events to small geographic areas inside city limits. This study used a sample from the Reportable Health Events Information System (SINAN) database and also proposes alternatives to work with this large amount of events. Approximately 50% of addresses were referenced automatically and another 19% through conventional search. Data losses occurred mainly due to incomplete or inconsistent address data.