Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) An overview

Abstract

Background Over 12 million children under the age of five die annually in the developing world and this accounts for a third of all deaths. Acute respiratory infection (particularly pneumonia), diarrhea, malnutrition, measles and malaria are responsible for about 70% of under-five deaths (1). Moreover most children visit health facilities for one or more of these conditions. According to a study done in Gondar 87% of the presenting complaints to health institutions were due to fever, cough, diarrhea, and ear problems (2). Overlap of symptoms and signs is quite common in sick children. For instance, a child with cough could have fever and diarrhea at the same time, and also having 2 or more diagnosis is not at all uncommon. There is, therefore, a need for a management guideline which addresses all the problems a child may have.