Knowledge and skills of professional nurses regarding integrated management of childhood illnesses service delivery at primary health settings in Eastern Cape, South Africa

An increase in diarrhoea and upper respiratory tract infection is associated with child mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and skills of professional nurses regarding Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) service delivery at the primary health care facilities at Mdantsane Township, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A quantitative, descriptive design was used and a convenient sample of 55 professional nurses was selected. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The results from the study were presented as excellent and very good respectively. For general danger signs professional nurses scored 46% for very good and 34% for excellent; Cough and difficulty in breathing scores were 42% and 38%; wheezing scores were 46% and 34%; diarrhea scored 42% and 36% , fever yielded 46% and 46%; measles yielded 42% and 42%, ear problems 36% and 36%; malnutrition and anaemia 40% and 24%; HIV 30% and 28%; TB 30% and 30%; immunizations 46% and 30% for very good and excellecnt, respectively. These results suggest that the knowledge and skills of professional nurses were inadequate. The quality of service delivery for IMCI needs to be improved through further training of all the professional nurses. This will serve to improve their knowledge and skills in the management of childhood conditions. It is recommended that to meet the 4th Millennium Development Goal; more effort is required regarding quality service delivery of IMCI.Keywords: Professional nurses, integrated management of childhood illnesses, primary health care facility, HIV, case management