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DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL ABOVE STANDARDS FOR SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES IN POREČ
NATAŠA BASANIĆ ČUŠ
orcid.org/0000-0002-6284-2153
; Centar za pružanje usluga u Zajednici Zdravi grad Poreč-Parenzo, Poreč, Hrvatska
SELMA ŠOGORIĆ
orcid.org/0000-0002-2314-2146
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Medicinski fakultet, Škola narodnog zdravlja „Andrija Štampar“, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Introduction: This paper presents results of the action research into the needs of single-parent families in Poreč and implementation of local interventions to the benefi t of single-parent families in the Poreč area. The aim of the study was to identify the problems and needs of single-parent families and to implement the interventions as local above standards, to meet the needs recognized in these families in the local community environment. The single-parent families were recognized
as a vulnerable population group at a high risk of poverty and health problems for both parents and children. The data available revealed a change of family structure in Croatia (as in other developed European countries) and an increase in the number of single-parent families. The researches related to early childhood indicate that the infl uence of functional family and stable environment (social determinants of health) has long-term impact on the child growth, health and development.
There is evidence that early development is the basis for health in adult life. The present study assessed the needs of single-parent families in Croatia (and in Poreč), followed by the implementation of local interventions to meet the needs recognized in these families. The Healthy City project team and Poreč as member of the Croatian Healthy City Network (CHCN) readily approached this qualitative action research entitled Identifying the Needs of Single-Parent Families in Croatian
Cities, during the 2011-2016 period. Methods and Subjects: The research was conducted simultaneously in six Croatian Healthy Cities (Labin, Vinkovci, Rijeka, Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Poreč) with academic support provided by supervisors from Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb. There were 79 respondents from six cities, all mothers with the exception of one father. All of them were single parents aged <35 with children aged <7 years. In Poreč, there were ten respondents, all single-parent mothers. Data were collected by standard interview conducted by trained local community nurses. The results collected in six participating cities (Poreč included) showed that single-parent families were a vulnerable group that could hardly provide for bare necessities of life. Single-parent families in Croatia have problems with housing, therefore depending on their parents, and have diffi culties in fi nding a job since they cannot find appropriate childcare. They have diffi culty in enrolling their children into nursery and preschool programs since (legal) priority
is given to two employed parents. They cannot satisfy their needs (educational, leisure, even health) because they do not have time for themselves. They have diffi culties in accessing information about their rights and consequently are not able to use the existing state and local social welfare system benefi ts. Conclusion: On the ground of the locally identified single-parent family needs, the local above (national) standard interventions were created and implemented. Ensuring appropriate and continuous support from the municipality and local community, the quality of life and health of both parents and children from the single-parent families can be improved.
Ključne riječi
single-parent families; assessment of needs; community intervention; local above standards
Hrčak ID:
199523
URI
Datum izdavanja:
20.4.2018.
Posjeta: 1.839 *