Abstract:
BACKGROUND : Under-five mortality and morbidity could be reduced through increased
implementation of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy. The aim
of the study was to determine challenges facing IMCI-trained professional nurses on
implementing this strategy when managing children less than 5 years of age.
METHODS : A quantitative descriptive survey method was used. The target populations were
IMCI-trained professional nurses with the sample of 208 respondents. Data were collected
through self-report questionnaires and analysed using statistical analysis system software.
RESULTS : The implementation of the IMCI strategy by IMCI-trained professional nurses in
Vhembe primary health care (PHC) clinics continues to face challenges, making it difficult for
professional nurses to follow guidelines. These challenges range from staff barriers,
management barriers, poor management process and poor infrastructure. All these challenges
lead to poor-quality under-five patient care.
CONCLUSION : Regardless of the IMCI strategy being implemented since its inception in 1999,
the under-five mortality remains not reduced. This is related to the identified challenges facing
the IMCI-trained professional nurses implementing the strategy.
