Integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) practice by trained health workers ( A baseline study)
type: CreativeWork
description: In Zambia, one in ten children dies before the first birthday, and one in five before their fifth birthday. To reduce this unacceptable high under five mortality the IMCI strategy was introduced in Zambia in 1995 by the Central Board of Health (CBOH) in collaboration with other cooperating partners, WHO, UNICEF and BASICS. The strategy combines improved management of childhood illness with aspects of nutrition, immunization, and several other important influences on child health, including maternal health. Using a set of interventions for the integrated treatment and prevention of major childhood illnesses, the IMCI strategy aims to reduce death and the frequency and severity of illness and disability, and to contribute to improved growth and development. This approach is calculated to be able to prevent up to 14% of the global burden of disease if appropriately applied in low-income countries.MCI training alone does not sustain improved health worker performance. Periodic evaluations coupled with feedback is essential for understanding the difficulties in the implementation and sustaining its effectiveness.The main objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and clinical performance of the health workers trained in IMCI with a view to identify operational difficulties and propose remedial measures to sustain the implementation of the IMCI strategy.The study was conducted in four districts(Chipata, Kafue, Kitwe and Luanshya) and among 38 IMCI trained health workers who attend to sick children in 30 health centres.Three checklists were used to observe and interview health workers managing 141 sick children aged two months up to five years presenting with at least any of the major IMCI targeted symptoms. Along with this, an inventory of facility infrastructure was undertaken to review the health facility on the availability of services and supplies.Besides the above, an interview was conducted with the health workers at the facilities to discuss supervision and…
abstract: In Zambia, one in ten children dies before the first birthday, and one in five before their fifth birthday. To reduce this unacceptable high under five mortality the IMCI strategy was introduced in Zambia in 1995 by the Central Board of Health (CBOH) in collaboration with other cooperating partners, WHO, UNICEF and BASICS. The strategy combines improved management of childhood illness with aspects of nutrition, immunization, and several other important influences on child health, including maternal health. Using a set of interventions for the integrated treatment and prevention of major childhood illnesses, the IMCI strategy aims to reduce death and the frequency and severity of illness and disability, and to contribute to improved growth and development. This approach is calculated to be able to prevent up to 14% of the global burden of disease if appropriately applied in low-income countries.MCI training alone does not sustain improved health worker performance. Periodic evaluations coupled with feedback is essential for understanding the difficulties in the implementation and sustaining its effectiveness.The main objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and clinical performance of the health workers trained in IMCI with a view to identify operational difficulties and propose remedial measures to sustain the implementation of the IMCI strategy.The study was conducted in four districts(Chipata, Kafue, Kitwe and Luanshya) and among 38 IMCI trained health workers who attend to sick children in 30 health centres.Three checklists were used to observe and interview health workers managing 141 sick children aged two months up to five years presenting with at least any of the major IMCI targeted symptoms. Along with this, an inventory of facility infrastructure was undertaken to review the health facility on the availability of services and supplies.Besides the above, an interview was conducted with the health workers at the facilities to discuss supervision and…
author: Chitembo, Lastone
language: en
keywords: Children -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Zambia
date published: 2012-06-18
date modified: 2026-07-27T22:07:01Z
provider: University of Zimbabwe
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Zimbabwe