With the motto ‘Equity from the Start for a Healthy Future’, the Seoul Healthy First Step Project (SHFSP) was launched in 2013 in an attempt to support women with young children, to improve the health and development of babies, and eventually to close the gap in child development. The SHFSP contains both universal components (universal risk assessment of mothers and universal home visitation after birth) and selective components (prenatal and postnatal sustained home visits, mothers' groups, and community service linkage), thereby taking a proportionate universality approach. For sustained home visits, the SHFSP introduced the Maternal and Early Childhood Sustained Home-visiting (MECSH) program from Australia, which has been proven to be effective in improving maternal and childhood outcomes. Between 2013~2017, the SHFSP has paid 58,327 visits to roughly 38 thousand families with babies. In 2017, the SHFSP covered 19.6% of families with newborn babies in Seoul. The SHFSP conducted internal satisfaction surveys of universal and sustained visitation service recipients, in which an overwhelming majority of mothers provided positive feedback. A performance assessment conducted in 2016 by an external organization showed that 93% of SHFSP service recipients were satisfied with the home visitations. Considering the popular support for the program from mothers and families in Seoul (the most affluent area in Korea) and the lack of a national home visiting program to promote early childhood health and development, this program should be expanded nationally in the near future.
Australia ; Child ; Child Development ; Female ; Home Health Nursing ; House Calls ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Maternal-Child Health Services ; Mothers ; Risk Assessment ; Seoul ; Social Welfare

No abstract available.
Abortion, Induced ; Child Welfare* ; Family Planning* ; Female ; Human ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Male ; Maternal Age ; Maternal Mortality ; Maternal Welfare* ; Pregnancy

A survey for finding out rural health care was done in Ichon-Gun, Kyonggi-Do during October, 1973. Of the 29,132 inhabitants, 974 persons were interviewed for the basic household survey, maternal and child health, family planning and medical care for illness. The survey included 201 households of total of 4,121. In addition to the survey, an evaluation was done of a two-year old rural health nursing service provided by the Korean Rural Medical Service (KRMS). KRMS was organized with Korean nurses who returned from West Germany and sponsored by the Bread for the World. Following results were obtained: 1. Population structure showed that the age group between 20-30 years old represented 9.4% of all males and 8.5% of all females. 84.6% of interviewees were farmers and 43.5% of the householders were primary school graduates. 2. More than 55% of all the houses had straw-roofing and water supply was dependent upon pumpwells (42.4%). 88% of the latrines were traditional and of insanitary construction. 3. Average marriage age for female respondents was 21.2 years, and average number of pregnancies was 4.9. About 12% of the housewives experienced natural abortions, and 8% were pregnant at the time of the survey. 4. More than 90% of total deliveries were cared for at home and only 8.5% of those received prenatal and post-partum care. Of those wives having home deliveries, 85% wanted to have them at home, and 9% would have preferred hospital delivery. 5. In the month preceding the survey, 72.5% of 947 interviewees had been sick 29.9% from respiratory illness, 12.5% with indigestion, 8.5% with headache and dizziness. Mostly, these patients got treatment through drugstores (20.8%), health subcenters (12.5 %), clinks or hospitals (9.7%). The average patient spent about 1,760 won ($ 4.40) for each illness. Patients missed medical treatment because of economic reasons (6.2%), and carelessness for health and illness (15.9%). 6. Seventy eight percent of total interviewees acknowledged recognition of the activities of Korean Rural Medical Service and 20.5% of the total householders received their health service through medical care (53.5%), immunization (34.5%), and health education (24%). More than half (51.5%) of clients who received health services commented that KRMS work was satisfactory, and 1.5% complained of it being unkind or insufficient. About 10% of total households desired a more closely located health subcenter.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Education ; Female ; Human ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Male ; Maternal Welfare ; Middle Age ; Pregnancy ; Rural Health* ; Statistics ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: Mothers' postpartum depression is a worldwide health concern that produces compromising effects on their infants. This study was conducted to compare the infants' temperament and health problems according to the presence of maternal postpartum depression. METHODS: Data were collected from May to October in 2009. The sample was 137 mothers at one month postpartum. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess depressive symptoms. RESULTS: At one month postpartum, 22.6% of mothers were classified as having postpartum depression. Infants of depressed mothers were more frequently classified as difficult temperament infants. They showed lower scores on the amenability, rhythmicity and persistency and higher scores on activity in temperament. Also, infants of depressed mothers reported more infant health problems at one months. Maternal depression showed significant negative correlations with family functioning, social support and marital satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Study findings show that postpartum maternal depression is associated with infants' temperament and health, and thus screening and early interventions for postpartum depression would promote the health of both the mother and infant.
Adult ; Depression, Postpartum/diagnosis/*psychology ; Family Relations ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Behavior/*psychology ; Infant Welfare ; Male ; Maternal Behavior/psychology ; Mother-Child Relations ; Mothers/*psychology ; Postpartum Period ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Questionnaires ; Social Support ; *Temperament ; Time Factors

To examine the current state and social ramifications of disability evaluation in Japan, public data from Annual Reports on Health and Welfare 1998-1999 were investigated. All data were analyzed based on the classification of disabilities and the effects of age-appropriate welfare services, which have been developed through a half-century of legislative efforts to support disability evaluation. These data suggest that disability evaluation, while essentially affected by age and impairment factors at a minimum, was impacted more by the assistive environment for disabilities. The assistive environment was found to be closely linked with the welfare support system related to a global assessment in the field of community-based rehabilitation.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Community Health Services/economics ; *Disability Evaluation ; Disabled Persons/classification/rehabilitation ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Japan ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Social Support ; Social Welfare

The health conditions under which the mothers and children of Korea live are not adequate. We realize that the needs in the field of MCH a re enormous, but that it is unrealistic and unwise to use the entire health budget of 4.9 million dollars to build maternity and pediatric hospitals. There must be an extensive program to reduce the number of births as well as the number of deaths if the living standrds in Korea are to improve. The success of Korea's health program is closely related to the general economic development. Without a reduction in the number of births it seems impossible that a successful economic development program can be planned, or executed. In the first five years of the program the group successfully reached by the family planning program was largely the receptive, motivated women in the older child bearing age group. A strategic platform for the success of the next five year plan would be to concentrate on the younger less motivated mothers; to educate them to better family spacing and child care. Inclusion of family planning in a comprehensive, total maternal and child care program seems a rational and effective approach. Therefore a successful national family planning program would seem to be a sound basic platform on which to base maternal and child health work as well as the economic development program in Korea. We need not repeat here the merits of family planning in Korea. A1ready the national program has accomplished much towards improving the health of Korea's mothers and children. It is hoped that in the coming decade the family planning program will go beyond the immediate aim of curbing the explosive population growth and adopt as its long-term objective promotion of total maternal and chi1d health. This objective can only be achieved by good organization, careful planning, competent staff and an adequate budget. A comprehensive maternal and child health program should include better care of children, responsible parenthood, marriage guidance, maternity care, and sterility correction all leading to better mental and physical health.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; *Child Welfare ; Child, Preschool ; *Family Planning Services ; Female ; Human ; Infant ; Korea ; *Maternal Welfare ; *Public Health

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hangzhou, a digital leader in China, is pioneering the development of an 'Internet Plus' medical and geriatric services system designed to leverage the city's advanced digital infrastructure, extensive medical resources, and strong government support to address the healthcare needs of its elderly population. Despite the surge in the use of such technology, there remains a gap in the comprehension and perception of such technological solutions and how the said solutions can be effectively integrated into community-based services to meet the elderly's complex healthcare needs. This study, therefore, aimed to explore not only the preferences and acceptability of the 'Internet Plus' model among elderly residents in Hangzhou, but to also identify the key factors that influence the successful integration of such technology into elderly-focused care services.

The study used quantitative surveys and qualitative data to better understand geriatric requirements. A structured questionnaire was administered to a stratified random sample of 908 elderly residents across various communities in Hangzhou, measuring the utilization and the preferences for diferent older adults care services. Purposive sampling was alsodone on 15 participants who underwent in-depth interviews. Quantitative data was statistically analyzed using SPSS 26.0 while qualitative data was processed using Atlas.ti, a qualitative data analysis software.

The analysis of survey responses from 908 elderly residents in Hangzhou, combined with qualitative interviews, provided a comprehensive view of the preferences and needs regarding the "Internet Plus" elderly care system. Majority of respondents at 91.3% favored technology-assisted home care, emphasizing the convenience and comfort it offers. The "Internet Plus" model for medical services was preferred by 96.4%, suggesting a strong inclination towards technology-enabled healthcare access. Comprehensive health maintenance was considered important by 94.4% of participants thereby highlighting the need for ongoing health support. The qualitative analysis corroborated these findings, with elderly participants expressing a strong desire for home-based medical services and the importance of reliable emergency medical assistance.

The study affirmed a pronounced preference for technology-assisted healthcare among Hangzhou's elderly, underscoring a critical shift towards patient-centric models. To optimize elderly care, it was also discovered how imperative it was to expand home care technologies, to fortify the 'Internet Plus' healthcare framework, and to augment community health centers for holistic care. Integrating swift emergency response systems was also found out to be essential in order to ensure that the 'Internet Plus' model not only meets but exceeds the evolving healthcare demands of the aging population.

Child ; Child Welfare ; trends ; Delivery of Health Care ; trends ; Humans ; Maternal Welfare ; trends ; Pediatrics ; methods ; trends ; Physician's Role ; Singapore

PURPOSE: To investigate the attitude, knowledge, and practice of safety and related factors of teachers in child care centers. METHODS: The total sample consisted of 116 teachers from child care centers in Kyunggi Province. A questionnaire and checklist were used to collect data, which was analyzed with SPSS 11.5 Win program. RESULTS: Most of the teachers were anxious about child accidents, and thought of safety as a primary concern. The mean score for knowledge on safety was 10.23, and the rate of correct answers ranged from 34.8% to 98.3%. The mean score on practice of safety was 42.01. Teachers with higher education showed significantly higher scores in safety efficacy. Teacher's knowledge on safety was significantly different depending on the experience of safety education, but this did not apply to safety practice. Safety practice was significantly related to confidence in safety performance, health beliefs on safety, stress, and social support, but not related to knowledge of safety. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial factors were found to be important in safety practice. Related factors found in this study should be considered when providing safety programs for child care centers.
Checklist ; Child ; Child Care* ; Child* ; Education ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Welfare ; Psychology ; Child Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study is designed to serve as a reference for the establishment of health security systems for children’s critical diseases. Through analysis of the operation of Shanghai Children Hospital Care Aid (SCHCA), this study explored the financing model and management of a children’s critical disease healthcare system and analyzed the possibility of expanding this system to other areas. It is found that a premium as low as RMB 7 per capita per year under SCHCA can provide high-level security for children’s critical diseases. With the good experience in Shanghai and based on the current basic medical insurance system for urban residents and the new rural cooperative medical scheme (NRCMS), it is necessary and feasible to build a health security system for children’s critical diseases at the national level.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child Welfare ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Policy ; economics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn