[Nationwide survey of municipality's maternal & child health promotion planning processes and consequent changes]

The purpose of this study was to offer insight into the revisions needed for promotion of Maternal and Child Health Promotion Plans in the coming years.

The maternal and child health promotion planning process and changes in maternal and child health services were surveyed by questionnaires to all municipalities in Japan.

Completed questionnaires were obtained from 2,362 municipalities (response rate: 72.6%) Replies from 2,202 municipalities, which had completed planning by March, 1998, were analyzed. Planning committees were established by 63.9% of municipalities, and working committees were set up in 55.4% of them. Members involved in the working committees were more limited when compared to the planning committees and only 9.3% of the committees had representatives from mothers. 37.5% of working committees held meetings more than 5 times. 56.0% of municipalities conducted hearings or questionnaire surveys of mothers and health personnel for assessment of maternal and child healthcare needs. Most prefectural public health centers provided statistical data for planning assistance. Public health center staff participated as planning members in 38.5% of municipalities, and a training program for the planning sponsored by health centers was utilized by 33.8% of municipalities. Only 18.3% of municipalities received support for explanation of the plans to the mayor and/or executive officers, only 12.1% received support for the management of the planning committees, and only 11.8% received support for needs analysis. Less than half of minicipalities conducted PR activities of the plans and progress management. A higher proportion conducted these activities in larger cities. After the planning process, 72.9% of municipalities started new projects according to the plans. However, 10.1% scrapped one or more projects. Changes in maternal and child healthcare services and promotion of coordination with other related organization were seen more in municipalities with a larger population. There were major differences found between prefectures with regards to the planning process, including the support from public health centers, and the effective use of plan reports, progress management, and changes in maternal and child healthcare services after the formulation of plans.