Planning Matters: A Document Analysis of 24 Portuguese Health Programmes

Background: Health planning is essential for effective public health interventions and optimal resource utilisation. The Portuguese Directorate-General of Health has a long history of developing health plans and programmes, for communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and their determinants. This study aimed to review the current 24 programmes and assess the adequacy of their structure and content.

Methods: A document analysis was conducted using a programme assessment matrix developed by the research group. Two independent researchers evaluated each programme, scoring items as 'absent', 'present', or 'not applicable'. A quantitative analysis was employed to analyse compliance scores between priority and non-priority programmes and across the year of publication.

Results: Priority programs demonstrated higher and more consistent compliance scores compared to non-priority programs. Compliance scores ranged from 19% in the Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme to 100% in the Healthy Eating Programme. The item least commonly present was 'updated time scope', in only 21% of the programmes. Most recently published programmes were more likely to have a higher compliance score (Β = 0.76, 95% CI: [0.46, 1.05]). Not all programmes were publicly available in the same digital location.

Conclusions: There was heterogeneity in the 24 health promotion programmes in terms of structure, content, timeliness, and accessibility. A standardised structure could enhance their quality and ease their interpretation and dissemination.