Perceptions of healthcare professionals of the application of the National Program for Women and Child Health in Bacău County, Romania: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim

To explore the local application of the Romanian National Program for Women and Child Health (NPWHC) in Bacău County from the perspective of healthcare professionals, focusing on perceived program relevance, resource allocation, adherence to procedures, and operational challenges.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study designed to examine perceptions and organizational aspects of NPWHC implementation across public healthcare units in Bacău County. The study was conducted between 2023 and 2024 among 54 professionals from three public hospitals and ten family medicine practices. Participants included physicians and nurses (75.9%), economic specialists (16.7%), and staff responsible for data reporting and centralization (7.4%). Data analysis followed an exploratory and descriptive approach, focusing on perceived program relevance, procedural compliance, and monitoring practices.

Results

Most respondents reported substantial professional experience, indicating a high level of institutional knowledge. The program was perceived as strategically relevant, primarily driven by the severity of the targeted health problems and the perceived preventive benefits. Concepts related to population health impact and service coverage were also rated as highly important. In contrast, respondents identified notable weaknesses in resource allocation and utilization, reporting consistency, and the robustness of monitoring mechanisms. Perceived adherence to standardized procedures and use of the IT reporting system were low, highlighting operational implementation challenges at the local level.

Conclusions

While the NPWHC is perceived as strategically relevant in Bacău County, the findings reveal important vulnerabilities in its operational implementation. Strengthening procedural standardization, optimizing resource use, and enhancing digital monitoring systems emerge as key areas for improvement, within the limits of an evaluation grounded in professional perceptions rather than objective performance indicators.