6. Providing Interventions

Antimicrobial drugs, including antibiotics and antimalarials, are an essential child survival intervention. Prompt and correct provision of drugs to children under age five who need them can save lives. Ensuring that these drugs are not prescribed unnecessarily and that those who receive them complete the full course can slow the development of antimicrobial resistance. Analysis of data collected through observation-based surveys at randomly selected first-level health facilities in Brazil, Tanzania, and Uganda shows that children receiving care from health workers trained in IMCI are significantly more likely than those receiving care from workers not yet trained in IMCI to receive correct prescriptions for antimicrobial drugs, to receive the first dose of the drug before leaving the health facility, to have their caregivers advised on how to administer the drug, and to have caregivers who are able to describe correctly how to give the drug at home as they leave the health facility. IMCI training is an effective intervention to improve the rational use of antimicrobial drugs for sick children visiting first-level health facilities in low- and middle-income countries.

Source: DCP2, chapter 63, box 63.2.