title: Finnish families' need for special support as evaluated by public health nurses working in maternity and child welfare clinics.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe public health nurses' views of the everyday problems of families and their needs for special support. Seventy-four nurses filled in a tripartite questionnaire. The needs varied by region and were seen in 4% to 23% of all families expecting a baby or with a child younger than 3 age in the nurses' clientele. Approximately one-third of the families were considered to have a pressing need for support. More than half of families (54%) had difficulties coping with parenthood and family structure, almost one-third (30%) with raising their children and with childcare, and nearly one-third (27%) with their social network. In 20% of the families, the parents experienced problems relating to their relationship as a couple; 20% of the families had problems connected to the children's development, growth, and health; and in 19% of the families, the parents had health problems. Special needs were also caused by the parents' use of alcohol (15%) and by disputes over the children's custody and visiting rights (7%). The information provided by the study can be used in developing clinical services and the family work supporting them.
authors.affiliation: Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, Helsinki Keltamatarande 25 I A 9,FIN-04300 Tuusula, Finland. arja.haggman-laitila@stadia.ti
authors.forename: Arja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Häggman-Laitila
authors.forename: Katri-Ina
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Euramaa
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care; D002655:Child Custody; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008430:Maternal-Child Health Centers; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009313:National Health Programs; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D011637:Public Health Nursing; D012944:Social Support; D012946:Social Welfare; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires