EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED
MANAGEMENT OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESS (IMCI) IN CHINA
Dai Y-H, Zhang Y-F, Jiang J-X, He H, Lei J
Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
Objective: The overall objective
of IMCI strategy is to improve survival and contribute to healthy growth
and development of Chinese children by reducing morbidity and mortality
associated with the major causes of childhood illness.
Methods: Training health workers with IMCI guidelines
to make them learn the IMCI techniques and communication skills; Conducting
health education for caretakers to improve health care of children;
Conducting follow-up visit to examine health workers’ performance in IMCI
case management and facility support after training courses.
Results: 1) Case management: All health workers managed
children according to IMCI procedures using Recording Form, Chart Booklet
and Mother’s Card, most assessment and classification were correct, and
most treatment, feeding and follow-up advice were appropriate; Some health workers
had problems such as omitting items and incorrect techniques in assessment,
inappropriate treatment and inadequate communication with mothers. 2)
Facility support: All township hospitals had enough room for sick children
and had most of facilities and drugs needed by IMCI, almost all outpatient
sessions were open in time, provided service for children everyday, and
referred very sick children immediately; Problems were as follows: There
were no weight scale, Diarrhea Treatment Center (DTC) and some drugs such
as Vitamin A, iron, Vitamin Bco and ORS in some hospitals. About half of
recommended drugs had no expiration date.
Conclusion: The IMCI
County Training Courses are successful in that health workers have mastered
IMCI techniques and facilities needed for IMCI are satisfied on the whole,
but specific problems still exist and future follow-up visits are
needed.