A Qualitative Exploration on Knowledge of Community-Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses among Community Resource Persons and Primary Health Care Workers in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Community-Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (C-IMCI) is a multipronged strategy developed by the World Health Organization aimed at reducing childhood mortality and morbidity through the integration of enhanced health care services, improved case management skills and healthier community practices. Community resource persons (CORPs) play an important role in the knowledge transfer of this strategy to mothers of U-5 children within their communities. This study explored the knowledge of C-IMCI among CORPs and other primary healthcare workers, as well as accessibility to training, and recommendations for the promotion of C-IMCI. Qualitative data were obtained from a larger cross-sectional study conducted in Ibadan North East and Akinyele Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and In-depth Interviews (IDIs) among community resource persons, community health workers and selected key health officers in two local government areas (LGAs) in Oyo State, Nigeria. Data were transcribed and analyzed thematically. There was poor knowledge of C-IMCI among the participants, the majority of respondents received C-IMCI-related information from nurses and LGA staff. Regarding training, a few respondents who received the initial training on C-IMCI had been transferred from their LGAs, monitoring was infrequent and implementation of C-IMCI was not effective in the sampled areas. Community Resource Persons and Primary Health Care workers in this study did not receive regular trainings on C-IMCI; hence their knowledge was limited in this regard. Increased access to trainings on community practices would help in bridging the existing knowledge gaps in this field.