The evaluation of integrated management of childhood illnesses training for learner nurses in KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing

Abstract

South Africa is one of 12 countries where the under-five child mortality rate has increased. In response to this challenge, the WHO and UNICEF in the 1990s developed Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), a strategy to reduce child mortality and morbidity. IMCI training was launched in South Africa in 1998. Health care workers trained in IMCI face many challenges when applying the new integrated case management approach. Training settings tend to differ from the actual work environment. Simulation is practiced in an enclosed environment and certain assessments are not possible for example chest in drawing, level of consciousness, oedema amongst others. In South Africa, there has been limited research on IMCI in-service and pre-service training and no research has been conducted regarding the training of student nurses on IMCI and follow up of these learners in the clinical field. Purpose of the study The purpose of this study was to evaluate the IMCI training of learners in the use of IMCI Guidelines in the KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing (KZNCN). Methodology This study followed a descriptive quantitative approach and evaluates the training of the learners and the facilitation and training of lecturers with regards to IMCI in the KZNCN campuses. Data was collected using questionnaires for facilitators and learners on the three campuses. Results The findings of this study revealed that teaching and learning approaches used to facilitate IMCI were adequate except for clinical practice and theory which was reported to be insufficient.