1994 Volume 4 Issue 3 Pages 121-128
To refer to municipal governments employing public health nurses (PHNs), the relationship between the number of PHNs and accomplishment in health care programs was observed. Data regarding accomplishment in health care programs were obtained by a nationwide questionnaire survey sent to all of the municipal governments (cities, towns, and villages). Of the 3, 268 governments, 2, 800 ones or 86% responded the survey. Population sizes and standardized mortality ratios for major causes of death of municipalities were obtained from the Wide-area Information-exchange System for Health and welfare administration (WISH). Results were as follows : The correlation coefficient between the ratios of PHNs and participation rates to stomach cancer examination was 0.63. The correlations were significant and strong in the program achievement of the following ; tracking of non-examinees, registration of stroke patients, activities of local community organizations, participation rates to basic health examination, stomach cancer examination, cervical cancer examination, health education, health counseling, and rehabilitation programs. The results suggest that the number of PHNs in a municipality is one of the important factors to obtain effective achievement of health care programs. Using regression models the author estimated that 1.96-2.72 PHNs per 10, 000 population are required to achieve the target participation rates organized by the Japanese Government. J Epidemioi, 1994; 4 : 121-128.
