Application of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe the use of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy by doctors and nurses that work in the Family Health Strategy program in a major city of midwestern Brazil. This descriptive study involved 50 physicians and 51 nurses working in family health units. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Most of the respondents were female (69.3%) and had graduated three to five years prior to data collection (32.7%). In terms of knowledge, 50.5% showed they were familiar with the content of the IMCI strategy, learned during their undergraduate studies. About 44.6% of professionals partially applied, this approach and the most frequently used element was growth and anemia assessment (25.4%). The findings raise some concern, since the failure to apply all the IMCI components may prevent these professionals from detecting treatable diseases in primary health care, thus increasing the number of preventable hospital admission.