PROTOCOL: Family and Community Interventions under Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Strategy for Reduction of Neonatal and Under‐five Mortality among Children in Low‐And‐Middle‐Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Abstract

[...]child survival strategies should focus on infectious and neonatal causes of mortality ( Liu 2012) and direct the resources towards vulnerable socio-economic groups for improved neonatal survival ( Lawn 2012). Counseling the parents/care takers about symptoms and danger signs of child illness may improve the care-seeking behavior during the episodes of childhood illness. [...]behavior change communication aimed at improving utilization of child health services, seeking prompt and appropriate treatment during illness, improving perinatal and child care practices assume importance in LMICs where U5MR remains high. 1.2 Description of the interventions Previously child survival interventions were usually implemented as separate disease specific programs for common causes of child mortality. IMCI strategy aims to address the limitations encountered in disease specific child health programs by integrating treatment of common childhood morbidities that cause child mortality. Since its conception and after piloting the strategy in a few countries, more than 70 countries have fully implemented IMCI strategy ( Lambrechts 1999). Health system interventions are mainly related to the key policies and management of health systems such as a)Ensuring availability of essential drugs and supplies (job aids), b)Organization of health facilities for rapid evaluation and management of sick children, and c)Establishing appropriate referral system, health information management system, monitoring and supervision of healthcare providers Implementation of household and community interventions of IMCI is done in one or more of the following ways: 1)Counseling parents/caregivers at health facilities about care seeking behavior, danger signs, and home management of childhood illness, compliance to treatment advice, child feeding and utilization of preventive services 2)Community-based peer educators providing information during in-home counseling sessions to parents/caregivers and family members of under-five children about nutrition and health practices and proper referral practices 3)Dissemination of IMCI practices through mass media (mainly television and radio), distribution of posters and brochures to educate the general public about child health issues 4)Community mobilization involves active and meaningful participation of the communities to establish a partnership between health workers and households with support from their communities.