Original Research
Evaluating the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness counselling skills of professional nurses in the North West Province of South Africa
Submitted: 23 January 2018 | Published: 10 October 2018
About the author(s)
Marguerette-Francoisé Malan, School of Nursing Science NuMIQ Focus Area, North-West University, South AfricaTinda Rabie, School of Nursing Science NuMIQ Focus Area, North-West University, South Africa
Catherina E. Muller, School of Nursing Science NuMIQ Focus Area, North-West University, South Africa
Abstract
Background: The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy provides guidelines for supporting and improving the health system to reduce under-5 children’s mortality rates. This strategy specifically assists professional nurses with the case management of children aged birth–5 years.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate how professional nurses provided counselling to caregivers of under-5 children based on the IMCI strategy in Primary Health Care facilities of one district in the North West Province of South Africa.
Setting: Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities of one district in the North West Province.
Method: A quantitative, descriptive and observational design was used. Counselling provided by the professional nurses was observed and a checklist was completed. This IMCI counselling checklist was based on aspects in the counselling section of the Health Facility Survey, formulated according to the IMCI strategy’s requirements.
Results: Counselling that focused on feeding, administration of medication and counselling skills used during the consultation were good. However, counselling of caregivers of children aged 13 months to 5 years could be improved and the caregivers’ health status should also be addressed.
Conclusion: Counselling provided to caregivers of under-5 children regarding feeding, administering of medication and caregivers’ health status used effective communication skills. However, technicalities of feeding such as lactation and nutritional guidance posed challenges.
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Crossref Citations
1. Challenges experienced by nurses regarding the involvement of guardians in integrated management of childhood illnesses in Vhembe District
Celiwe Clarah Mabuza, Sophy Mogatlogedi Moloko, Livhuwani Tshivhase
International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478) vol: 13 issue: 4 first page: 526 year: 2024
doi: 10.20525/ijrbs.v13i4.3310