RESUMEN
Integration is an important tool for successful implementation of components of a comprehensive health programme. We describe strategies adopted to integrate the Saudi maternal and child health [MCH] activities with other primary health care [PHC] components in order to achieve optimal quality care. Achieving such integration was one of the specific objectives of the MCH programme. Besides training MCH workers, other important tools of MCH/PHC integration included: organization, supervision, continuing education, data management and health systems research. The strengths and weaknesses of integration are discussed while the opportunities, limitations and implications are reviewed
Asunto(s)
Femenino , Humanos , Servicios de Salud del Niño/organización & administración , Atención Integral de Salud/organización & administración , Prestación Integrada de Atención de Salud/organización & administración , Personal de Salud/educación , Recursos en Salud/organización & administración , Recién Nacido , Servicios de Salud Materna/organización & administración , Mortalidad Materna , Bienestar Materno , Objetivos Organizacionales , EmbarazoRESUMEN
Baseline data on acute respiratory infections [ARI] were collected by a survey questionnaire distributed to physicians of 10% of the health centres randomly selected from each of the five provinces of Saudi Arabia. The physicians estimated that ARI was the cause of sickness in 50% of ill children < 5 years in 1995. None of the physicians had had any training in ARI and they were not aware of any national protocol or programme. Physicians' responses indicated an over-use of antibiotics and diagnostic procedures. A national protocol for diagnosis and treatment of ARI has been prepared and distributed and leaders of primary health care and 55 national trainers have been trained