Impact of Followup Visits on the Integrated Management of Childhood and Neonatal Illness Strategy Implementation in the Health Facilities of District Jamshoro

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact of monthly versus quarterly monitoring visits on the IMNCI case management skills of health workers in the health facilities of district Jamshoro. METHODOLOGY: Comparative Cross-sectional study was conducted at 4 Health facilities of District Jamshoro, from January to December 2015. There were total four Integrated Management of Childhood and Neonatal Illness (IMNCI) trained staff, one at each health facility. Health facilities having Integrated Management of Childhood and Neonatal Illness (IMNCI) trained staff were included in this study; while Health facilitie-shaving IMNCI untrained medical staff were excluded. Staff were trained by trainors during nine days IMNCI workshop. During training they were trained specifically about the detectoion of general danger signs, respiratory distress, dehydration, Throat / Ear infections, malaria and measles. RESULTS: Monthly monitoring visits had better results than the quarterly monitoring visits; regarding the detectoion of general danger signs, respiratory distress, dehydration, Throat / Ear infections, malaria and measles. Out of 4 health facilities 2 health facilities were visited on monthly basis (Taluka head Quarters Kotri and Government Dispensary Lower Sindh Barrage) and other 2 on quarterly basis (Government Dispensary Petaro OPD and Government Dispensary Christian colony), competency of staff was assessed and compared. General Danger Signs (11.5 +/- 2.646 versus 8.67 +/- 3.367) Cough or Difficult Breathing (13 +/- 1.826 versus 8.83 +/- 3.070), Diarrhea (13 +/- 1.826 versus 8.83 +/- 3.070), Sore Throat (11.5 +/- 2.646 versus 8.67 +/- 3.367), Ear Problem (11.5 +/- 2.64 versus 8.67 +/- 3.367), malaria (12.25 +/- 3.096 versus 8.83 +/- 3.070) and measles (11.75 +/- 2.630 versus 8.75 +/- 3.223) CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that monthly follow-up visits had very good impact on the IMNCI strategy implementation in health facilities. Monitoring progress and evaluating results are key functions to improve the performance of those responsible for implementing health services.