The Role of the District Public Health Nurses: A Study from Gujarat

Abstract

The role of District Public Health Nurses (DPHN) and District Public Health Nurse Officers (DPHNOs) as supervisors of the Public Health nursing and midwifery staff in a district was investigated. Thirteen DPHNs and DPHNOs from six districts selected from six geographic zones of Gujarat were observed for one week using the time motion method. Their activities and time spent were noted and the DPHNs/DPHNOs and their supervisors were interviewed.

The study finds that DPHNs are underutilized which affects the quality of maternal and child health services in the district.