Experiences of primary health care nurses in implementing integrated management of childhood illnesses strategy at selected clinics of Limpopo Province

Abstract

Treatment of the under five years is a national priority as an attempt in curbing deaths and deformities affecting children. Primary health care was implemented in the clinics in order to help in the treatment of illnesses affecting the community, including children. As a result of childhood illnesses; the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF) came up with Integrated Management of Childhood illnesses (IMCI) strategy to enhance treatment of such illnesses in developing countries. Primary health care nurses (PHCNS) in Limpopo province were also trained to implement the strategy. This study is intended to explore and describe the experiences of PHCNS in implementing the IMCI strategy at selected clinics in Vhembe District in the Limpopo Province. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used. In-depth interviews were conducted with PHCNS who are IMCI trained and have implemented the strategy for a period of not less than two years. Data analysis was done through using Tesch’s method of open coding for qualitative analysis. Findings revealed that PHCNS had difficulty in rendering IMCI services due to lack of resources and poor working conditions. Recommendations address the difficulties experienced by PHCNS when implementing the IMCI strategy.

Utilization of Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) Guidelines and Associated Factors among Nurse at Public Health Institutions in West Arsi Zone, South East Ethiopia

“…This was inconsistent with other studies, for instance study conducted in Indonesia and Tanzania [15][16].This difference might be due to difference in economic status, study area and study period. However, this finding is consistent with other several similar studies carried out in Africa [9,18,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

“…Health system related factor ,which composed the factors like lack of supplies ,lack of supervision, frequent unavailability of IMNCI drugs and chart booklets, inadequate facility support were also listed by nurses as the others factors affecting utilization of IMNCI guidelines and this finding was also supported by another several comparable study conducted in different parts of the world [18][19][20][21][22][23][24].…”

Key challenges of health care workers in implementing the integrated management of childhood illnesses (IMCI) program: a scoping review

“…These studies found that some of the IMCI recommendations are not carried out because of insufficient support from the government and stakeholders. Vhuromu & Davhana-Maselesele [30] explored the experiences of HCWs in South Africa, highlighting the lack of human and material resources as one of the reasons that hampered the implementation of IMCI services in Limpopo province. Because of problems with shortages of medication, HCWs said there were instances that they referred patients to nearby hospitals just to get medications, even if it was not otherwise necessary.…”

Different delivery mechanisms for insecticide-treated nets in rural Burkina Faso: a provider's perspective

“…As an intervention that is well accepted cannot afford logistic breakdowns, the nature of distribution within the system needs to be improved. Other studies report that frequent unavailability of necessary equipment can have negative impact on motivation and performance of health workers [42-44]. To keep the motivation of the health staff towards the FD at high levels, an unavailability of ITNs must be avoided.…”