| Summary: | Background: The Central Java Province introduced Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) program since year 2000. Our study attempts to examine the performance of IMCI practiced by puskesmas health workers during the last three year of implementation in Pekalongan district.
Data and Method: This study took place in four government health centers of Pekalongan District. The study used a case study design with field work taking place in August to November 2004. The data sources were (1) the health centers' reports, (2) IMCI reporting forms, and (3) in-depth interview to the Head of CDC Section of DOH, IMCI program coordinator, health center managers, and midwives and nurses taking care of sick child.
Findings: Although, there is a tendency of improvement in treatment rationality in treating coughs, health workers have not been able to follow classification of child conditions and keep record as expected. We also documented lack of continuing education and training for new health workers. The lack of socialization of the implementation of IMCI practice toward mothers have created misunderstanding among mothers in regard to the longer time needed for their child treatment to do a more comprehensive evaluation of the child.
Conclusion: The implementation of IMCI relies so much on the health workers trained in the beginning of the program. Continuous management supports from the health center managers and district health offices for its implementation and the IMCI continuing education are believed as the key issues to further maintain this practice.
Keywords: integrated management of childhood illness, !MCI, management support, supervisor, government health centre.
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