Family practices that influence the uptake of the Intergrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) strategy among mothers at the MCH/FP clinic at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Since 1999 the Government of Kenya has introduced the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) in an attempt to reduce child mortality. The IMCI strategy, developed by WHO and UNICEF, aims to improve the management of childhood illness at the primary health care level. The aim of this study was to determine the family practices that influence the uptake of the IMCI strategy among mothers in the MCH/FP clinic at Pumwani Maternity Hospital.

Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted at Pumwani Maternity Hospital MCH/FP clinic. A sample size of 385 mothers at the MCH/FP clinic was interviewed for quantitative data. All independent variables identified to significantly associate with ‘uptake of IMCI’ at bivariate analysis was considered together in a multivariate analysis. SPSS version 22 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Out of the 385 respondents interviewed, 78.4% children were well, 74.3% were of normal weight and 88.6% had been fully immunized. At multivariate analysis, statistically significant predictor family practices of IMCI uptake were fever experience, cough experience, living in Nairobi and giving iron supplements to the children.

Conclusion: The uptake of the IMCI strategy, though high, was not optimal. There were many children who were underweight, had illnesses and were not fully immunized. These findings highlight the need for continuous strengthening of the IMCI strategy in health facilities.