Maternal and child health services and the public health clinic. 3. Child rearing based on the cultural tradition of the area

Maternal-child health services in a remote fishing village in Kyushu Japan were assessed. Child rearing based on the cultural tradition of the area is on the decline but some aspects of it have survived. Child health services in the area do not adequately meet the health status and needs of this population. This fishing village which is located on a small island has neither hospitals nor resident doctors. It has 1 public health clinic 1 maternal-child health center staffed by 1 resident public health nurse and one aging midwife who is practicing independently. Childbirths used to be undertaken in private homes by a midwife witnessed by all the women in the family. In recent times to ensure safe childbirths women are either taken to a hospital on another island or accompanied by a midwife to their own maternal-child health center. Following the islands tradition postpartum care is still provided by the new mothers parents and family. Routine baby checkups given by a general physician and a public health nurse at the maternal-child health center are well attended (95%-100%) but they fail to meet the needs of this population such as prevention and/or treatment of tooth decay and allergy common among the islands 3-year-olds for lack of specialists. By comparison maternal-child health services in Tokyo include a checkup for 3-year-olds attended by a doctor public health nurse dentist psychologist/counselor dietitian and a dental hygienist.