Abstract
Purpose : This study was conducted in order to clarify the concrete contents of the support provided to families with at-risk mothers and children in need of continuous help from public health nurses (PHNs). Method : Eight PHNs participated in the study as research participants. They were above mid-level and continuously implemented the supports and resolved the problem or completed them in the municipality of Z Prefecture. Semi-structured interviews were carried out based on an interview guide. The results were classified and arranged according to the meaning and content of the actual support, and categories were extracted. Results : The contents of PHNs providing support to families in need were classified into 11categories of "support to mother", 1 category of "support to child" and 3 categories of "support to family": 15 categories with 3 items in total. The actual support contents included childcare consultation, nursing care, instruction and advice, and introduction of social resources. Discussion : For the purpose of solution and improvement of subjects' health problems, PHNs are considered to have performed the support corresponding to each family's health problems, improving family relationships, and use of health and welfare services. The support was conducted through consultations, health guidance and coordination of social resources, and this improved the subject families' self-care ability. The contents of the clarified PHN support may contribute to the guideline assessments for the support given to families in need of continuous PHN assistance.
