[Gender sensitivity in the formulation of Spanish health plans: what it could have been but wasn't].
OBJECTIVE
To systematically examine gender sensitivity in the policies formulated in the health plans of the various Autonomous Communities in Spain in which these plans are available. We defined gender sensitivity as the extent to which the health plans took gender into account as a relation category and developed interventions to ameliorate gender-related inequalities.


METHODS
A questionnaire with a structure similar to that of the health plans, which were based on the World Health Organization's proposal, was designed. The questionnaire consisted of an introductory section, which we called the symbolic content, and described the general objectives and values of the health plan. In the other section, which we called the operative content of the health plan, the specific objectives and the interventions to achieve them were expressed in concrete terms. A gender sensitivity symbolic index and gender sensitivity operative index were constructed.


RESULTS
Thirteen health plans were analyzed. Those of the Basque Country, the Valencian Community and the Canary Islands showed high symbolic content, which did not always match their subsequent operative implementation. The health plans of the Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia showed the greatest operative gender sensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Gender sensitivity in health plans varies widely among Autonomous Communities. Some channels for action would be to set up partnerships and networks for health professionals and collectives in order to raise awareness of the problem and build on the experience of the Autonomous Communities whose initiatives are carried out with the greatest gender sensitivity.
Peiró
Rosana
R
Centro de Salud Pública de Alzira, Consejería de Sanidad, Generalitat Valenciana, Alzira, Valencia, España. peiro_ros@gva.es
Ramón
Nieves
N
Alvarez-Dardet
Carlos
C
Colomer
Concha
C
Moya
Carmela
C
Borrell
Carme
C
Plasència
Antoni
A
Zafra
Eduardo
E
Pasarín
María Isabel
MI
D006285:Health Planning / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health