Objectives : The purpose of this study was to assess the public health program for premature and congenital anomaly infants of health center in Asan city.
Methods : Data were obtained from the program report, various official records, and questionnaire survey of mothers from 1999 to 2000.
Results : A total of 171 premature and congenital anomaly infants were born in Asan city in 2000 and that gave an incidence rate of 6.1%. Among them 61.4% were registered in the program. Risk factors for prematurity and congenital anomaly during pregnancy were menstrual period, smoking, type of hobby, and drug use. The mothers with premature and congenital anomaly infants showed relatively low confidence in caring the infants, and negative attitude for parenting. A total of 19 nurses involved in the program with one full-time RN for urban areas and 18 RNs with multiple roles besides MCH program for rural areas. The program provided periodic health screening and examinations in collaboration with private clinics. Nurses performed home visiting and health screening, and then referred the infants with problems to pediatricians. The nurses of the program made a total of 586 home-visits in two years with the mean of 3.47 visits per an infant. The nurses supported the self-help group activities of mothers of premature and congenital anomaly infants. The budget of the program was supported by national and local governments. For the community participation, consultant meeting was organized with local assembly man, pressman, school inspector, and medical professionals.
Conclusions : These results show that it is possible for health center to follow-up the all premature and congenital anomaly infants in the area and to improve their growth and development. More effective services for home visiting, information system, and program evaluation indicators need to be developed.
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