Improving family and community practices: A component of the IMCI strategy

Overview

This brief document aims to initiate, reinforce and sustain family practices that are important for child survival, growth and development. The other components of the IMCI strategy – for the improvement of health systems and health worker skills – also have elements to support the efforts of families to care for their children.

The material gives an overview of priority problems and practices that have the greatest impact on child health and survival, lists the key family practices, and describes IMCI interventions to support improved family and community practices. It also includes a list of tasks in planning and implementing activities to improve family and community practices and guidelines on how to build on and strengthen community resources to promote improved nutrition.