2017 Volume 6 Issue 2 Pages 159-167
Objective: To determine the association between the municipal public health nurses’ awareness of support of persons with mental disorders and the actual mental health welfare services provided by the municipalities.
Methods: A self-administered paper survey was conducted with 550 the municipal public health nurses in July and August 2013.
Results: We received 205 valid responses (response rate 37.3%). “Regular consultation services,” “Daycare services,” and “Occasional consultation services” were provided by 73.7%, 49.8%, and 96–100% of the municipalities, respectively. At least 90% of the municipal public health nurses thought that “support of the disabled is important” and “should be provided.” At least 60% thought it is a rewarding job. However, only 50% or less were conscious of a public health nurse-specific approach for this job.
Discussion: It was speculated that a public health nurse-specific approach has not fully penetrated the field of mental health. On the other hand, this suggests that the awareness of such support might increase through regular opportunities to contact persons requiring support. It was thought that accumulation of experience encouraged public health nurses to engage in their job proactively, and enhanced mental health welfare services provided by municipalities.
