Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 25, 2026
Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
Implementation of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses strategy: challenges and recommendations in
Lucia U Mupara1,2, Johanna C Lubbe3
1Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
Insights
Challenges in implementing the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) strategy in Botswana hinder reductions in under-five mortality. Addressing health system and training issues is crucial for improving child survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Health Systems Research
Background:
- Under-five mortality remains a significant global health concern.
- The Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) strategy was developed by WHO and UNICEF to combat child morbidity and mortality.
- Botswana adopted the IMCI strategy in 1998, achieving some reduction in under-five mortality rates (U5MR) but falling short of Millennium Development Goal 4 targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify challenges faced by healthcare professionals implementing the IMCI strategy in Botswana.
- To assess the impact of these challenges on under-five child care within the Gaborone Health District.
Main Methods:
- A quantitative study was conducted in Botswana's Gaborone Health District.
- Data was collected from IMCI-trained and registered nurses using questionnaires.
- Systematic random sampling was employed to select study participants.
Main Results:
- Key challenges identified include low training coverage for the IMCI strategy.
- Health system weaknesses pose significant obstacles to effective IMCI implementation.
- Unique features of the IMCI strategy itself present implementation difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive implementation of the IMCI strategy holds significant potential to reduce under-five mortality in Botswana.
- Addressing identified challenges is essential for maximizing the impact of the IMCI strategy on child survival.
Background:
Under-five mortality has been a major public health challenge from time immemorial. In response to this challenge, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund developed the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) strategy and presented it to the whole world as a key approach to reduce child morbidity and mortality. Botswana started to implement the IMCI strategy in 1998. Reductions in the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) have been documented, although the reduction is not on par with the expected Millennium Development Goal 4 predictions.
Design:
A quantitative study was done to identify the problems IMCI implementers face when tending children under 5 years in the Gaborone Health District of Botswana. The study population was made up of all the IMCI-trained and registered nurses, and systematic sampling was used to randomly select study participants. Questionnaires were used to collect data.
Results:
The study findings indicated challenges related to low training coverage, health systems, and the unique features of the IMCI strategy.
Conclusions:
The comprehensive implementation of the IMCI strategy has the potential to significantly influence the U5MR in Botswana.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
01:28International Nursing Organizations II
The WHO provides expert team support, including funding, vaccines, testing, and treatment tools at the country level to fight...
01:20Integrated Healthcare System
01:30Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
01:15Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
For example, a patient with a chronic...