Abstract:
Background: The integrated management of neonatal and childhood illness is a strategic approach to enhance health, growth and development of under-fives by reducing mortality, morbidity and disability of under-fives. Integrated management of neonatal and childhood illness guideline implementation and associated factors is not known in the study area.
Objective: To assess the integrated management of neonatal and childhood illness guideline implementation and associated factors among health professionals in health centers of West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods: Mixed-method facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 20 to July 20, 2022 in West Shoa Zone, Oromia. Among 22 districts, 6 districts were selected by simple random sampling. Then a sample size of 255 was proportionally allocated to 27 health centers in selected districts. Finally, study unit was selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, observation checklist, inventory checklist and in-depth interview guide. Quantitative data were coded and entered to Epi-data 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 for processing and analysis. In bi-variable analysis variables p-value <0.25 was selected for multivariable analysis. The results were presented by texts, tables and graphs. Qualitative data were analyzed and related factors were presented in narrative form.
Results: Data were obtained from 250 respondents, yielding a response rate of 98%. The overall IMNCI guideline implementation in this study was 64.1% (low level). Factors affecting IMNCI guideline implementation associated to health professional were shortage of staff [AOR=1.2, 95%CI: 1.12, 3.36], lack of knowledge [AOR=3, CI: 1.25, 7.21] and always referring IMNCI guideline during managing child [AOR=6.53, 95%CI: 2.03, 21.01].
Conclusion and Recommendation: The integrated management of neonatal and childhood illness guideline implementation was low. Identified factors associated to health professionals were lack of knowledge, shortage of staff and always referring chart booklet during managing under-fives. Health professional should emphasis on chart booklets during managing under-fives. Zonal health office, District health offices and health centers fulfill the staff as structure recommends and Policy makers should consider IMNCI guideline training to increase health professionals’ knowledge. Regional level study should consider address limitation in this study
