Abstract:
Objective To describe the statue of the development of suitable technical services of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for women and children in maternal and child health care(MCH) institutions.
Methods A questionnaire was distributed to the MCH institutions in the members of MCH Discipline Development Professional Committee and the Birth Defect Prevention and Control Professional Committee of MCH Research Association,and filled voluntarily. The questionnaire was about the TCM services for children aged 0-3 and 4-6 years old and females in the MCH institutions.
Results 79.35% of the institutions(73/92) had the doctors who were engaged in TCM services for women and children. the median of the doctors in the institutions at the provincial,municipal,and county levels was 14(8,52),10(7,18),and 4(2,7),respectively. There was statistically significant difference among different levels institutions(
P<0.05). The proportion of the institutions which provide relevant TMC service was 71.74%,and there were no statistically significant difference among different levels institutions(
P>0.05). The proportions of institutions that provide TCM services for children aged 0-3,and 4-6 years old,and women was 66. 30%,54. 35%,and 53.26%,respectively. The proportion of institutions that carried out massage,acupoint application,TCM bath + massage,and Puncture four-seam services for children age 0-3 years old was 63.04%,54.35%,26.09%,32.61%,respectively. There was statistically significant difference in the average number of infantile massage services visits among different levels institutions(
P<0.05). The proportion of institutions that carried out infantile massage,acupoint application,Chinese medicine bath + massage,and Puncture four-seam services for 4-6 years old children was 48.91%,47.83%,26.09%,and 29.35%,respectively. There was statistically significant difference in the average number of Puncture four-seam services visits among different levels institutions(
P<0.05). The proportion of institutions that carried out acupuncture point application,moxibustion therapy pot therapy,scraping technique,spacer moxibustion,ear acupoint pressure,Dumai TCM fumigation,warm acupuncture,spacer moxibustion + navel therapy for women were 44.57%,36.96%,22.83%,25.00%,33.70%,21.74%,22.83%,11.96%,respectively. There was no statistical difference in the average number of each service visits among different level institutions(
P>0.05). The other services carried out by institutions were moxibustion(including acupuncture,moxibustion,thunder-fire moxibustion,etc.),external use of Chinese herbs and cupping,etc.
Conclusion The developments of suitable technical services of TCM for women and children in the different levels MCH institutions and the TCM service personnel are insufficient,especially in the county level institutions. The TCM service for women is the weakest. The programs are mainly based on services which are relatively simple such as infantile massage. In order to promote the steady development of TCM services in the MCH institutions,the construction of the TCM system should be strengthened,the number of professional doctors should be increased,and the services should be expanded.