Factors influencing implementation of Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) among health care workers in selected primary health centres in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Despite adopting IMCI as the main thrust of child survival strategy in Nigeria, the mortality rate of children under five years old in Nigeria was last reported at 100.2 per 1000 in 2017. This study was conducted due to the paucity of the historical study found in Nigeria identifying possible encounters in implementing the IMCI strategy by healthcare workers in Primary Health Centres. Such information is critical to guide further program implementation and improving IMCI services. The study aimed to assess the factors influencing the implementation of IMCI among healthcare workers in selected Primary Health Centres in Ibadan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional design with a mixed methodology approach was used to collect data for this study. For quantitative data, structured and semi-structured questions of four sections were developed by the researcher and used to collect data from health care workers in the PHCs except for the head nurses while an interview guide was developed to conduct a Key Informant Interview (KII) with the head nurses. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting the study participants. The respondents and key informants were Nurses, CHOs, CHEWs and head nurses working at the PHCs of the selected LGAs who were willing to participate in the study. The data collection lasted for four weeks. Data collected were sorted, coded and checked for error or variation using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 and further subjected to descriptive, inferential statistics and thematic analysis. Statistical significance (P value) was set at≤?.??.

RESULTS

Results showed that majorities (68.1%) of the respondents were trained in IMCI, and a significant number (65.3%) had adequate knowledge about IMCI. Slightly above average out of the participants had strong perceptions of lack of adequate trained staff (52.8%) and scarcity of trained staff concerning numerous children searching for treatment (52.8%) as barriers to implementing IMCI. The identified motivators for implementing IMCI were the training and retraining of healthcare workers and the provision of working aids.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, it is recommended that appropriate measures should be taken to reduce the barriers and improve the motivators for IMCI implementation.