Despite intensive national health efforts in developing countries to improve children's health, child deaths due to diarrhea, acute respiratory infections and malnutrition remain high. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are promoting the "Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) Strategy" to provide comprehensive care for prevalent childhood diseases, such as diarrhea, respiratory infections, and malnutrition, as well as recommendations for immunizations, nutrition, and breastfeeding practices. Important components of IMCI strategy are development of human resources and understanding of community health practices for care of children in the home, to improve child health outcomes at institutional and community levels. This paper presents a primary health care model integrating teaching, service, and research goals through a collaborative project conducted by The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), and PAHO in Monterrey, Mexico. Major components of the model include selection of child health indicators, IMCI training, evaluation of students' learning, and assessment of mothers' knowledge about and practices for breastfeeding, nutrition, and common childhood illnesses. Steps followed and outcomes achieved with this collaborative project will be discussed.
Acknowledgments: UTMB School of Nursing and School of Medicine,UANL School of Nursing, PAHO IMCI Office
Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss a model for community application of IMCI strategy. 2. Identify steps followed in a collaborative project to assess child health in a marginal community in Mexico
Keywords: Child Health, Community Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.