Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI)

Funded by: USAID

Introduction

Each year more than 10 million children in developing countries die before they reach their fifth birthday. Seven in ten of these deaths are due to just five preventable and treatable conditions: pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles, and malnutrition, and often to a combination of these conditions.The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy encompasses a range of interventions to prevent and manage this major childhood illness, both in health facilities and in the home. The IMCI strategy incorporates many elements of diarrhoea and ARI control programme, as well as child-related aspects of malaria control, nutrition, immunization, and essential drugs programme.

What is IMCI?

IMCI is an integrated approach to child health that focuses on the well being of the whole child. IMCI includes both preventive and curative elements that are implemented by families and communities as well as by health facilities.

Objectives

• To reduce significantly mortality and morbidity associated with the major causes of disease in children
• To contribute to healthy growth and development of children

Component of IMCI

The IMCI strategy includes 3 main components:

• Improving case management skills of health-care staff
• Improving overall health systems
• Improving family and community health practices

Status of IMCI

Implementation of IMCI involves 3 phases: (1) Introduction Phase, (2) Early Implementation Phase, (3) Expansion Phase. Bangladesh is now at expansion phase with piloting in 3 Upazillas (Matlab, Damrai, Kahaloo), which have been reviewed. Now IMCI in expanded in another 6 upazillas of Bangladesh

IMCI Study at Matlab

A two cell randomized experimental study. 20 Facility catchment areas were determined out of this 10 are intervention and 10 are comparison. After adaptation of the generic WHO/UNICEF guidelines and training materials, implementation started in 2001 focusing mainly on training of health workers in first-level health facilities. From 2002 interventions to improve family and community practices for child health and development started for successful implementation of IMCI.

Sponsors IMCI Study at Matlab

World Health Organization

USAID/Bangladesh