Public health nurse for mothers and infants at risk: Health promotion project in a multi-disciplinary day care center

Background: A Multi-Disciplinary Day (MDD) Care Center is a community service for toddlers from high-risk families. Its function is to preserve the family unit within the community by giving support and tools for parents, thus preventing the placement of children away from home. In 2006 the Central Health District, Israel Ministry of Health initiated an intervention program in an MDD to empower mothers from a low socio-economic Arab community.

Objectives: To describe the intervention program and its evaluation (short and long term).

Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used: self image, knowledge and attitudes questionnaire for mothers; growth and development data; in- depth interviews with mothers.

Results: The program included infants and toddlers (ages – 6 months up to 3 years). The program goals included the empowerment of mothers, improvement of their parenting skills in order to obtain healthy development of their children. We found an increase in child health and development knowledge and attitude changes in various child educational aspects. The mothers reported that their participation in the project significantly improved their knowledge and bonding with their children. The program created a social network and strong support relations among the participating mothers. In the long term most children bridged the developmental gap found at the beginning of the program.

Discussion: The program emphasized the key role of the public health nurse, the coordinator of this program, in promoting the health and welfare of high risk families. We recommend the implementation of this model for other MDD and social sectors.