Clinical Assessment of Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (Imci) Given by Professionals Trained Between 2012 and 2015 in Colombia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background In Colombia, official statistics indicate that infant mortality by 2020 would reach 7.22 per thousand live births. Prevalent and preventable diseases represent 70% of total infant mortality, so strategies such as Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) are still relevant for the country. This research seeks to establish whether the professionals trained in IMCI between 2011 and 2015 apply the strategy in the prevention and care of children under 5 years of age. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in general practitioners, nurses and pediatricians who had some level of training in the IMCI strategy between 2012 and 2015. A survey based on the basic competences established in the framework of the IMCI strategy was used: evaluate, classify, and treat and, in addition, the basic care registry component was incorporated. Results Skills in the IMCI Strategy were observed in 259 consultations for children. 229 children were between 2 months and 5 years old, 30 children were between 0 and 2 months old (84.4% vs 11.6%, respectively). 51.4% of the evaluations were carried out in the Public Health Service Provider Institutions (HPIs) compared to 48.6% (126/259) in the private HPI. In children from 0 to 2 months, 92% of general practitioners, 82.58% of nurses, and 59.39% of pediatricians correctly assessed danger signs. In children from 2 months to 5 years, the health professional who best evaluated the danger signs was the pediatrician with a 70% correct evaluation, followed by nurses and general practitioners with a 65% correct evaluation. Conclusions Pediatricians were shown to perform better on the IMCI strategy in children 2 to 5 years of age. However, in the 0–2-month age group, general practitioners and nurses outperformed pediatricians on the IMCI strategy