2024 Volume 13 Issue 3 Pages 167-176
Objective: This study aimed to clarify the conditions and issues related to recognizing the importance and level of performance of public health nurses in program implementation.
Methods: Public health nurses working in main offices or public health centers in prefectures or cities were surveyed nationwide using a mailed self-administered questionnaire containing 31 items from the Implementation Degree Assessment Sheet for the Health Program.
Results: There were 702 valid responses. The mean score per item (0–5) for the importance and performance was 4.2 and 3.7, respectively. There were no significant differences in the importance of the 24 items among the three groups; those with ≤ 5 years of experience, those with ≥ 6 years of experience without a position, and those with ≥ 6 years of experience with a position. Contrastingly, there was a significant difference in the level of performance for 28 items (P<0.05), and the group with ≥ 6 years of experience had higher values for all 31 items than the other groups.
Discussion: Although public health nurses’ overall recognition of the importance of program implementation was high, their level of performance was low, indicating differences depending on their career levels. These results suggest the need for capacity building and system development according to career-level characteristics.
