SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Manage childhood illnesses in an integrated manner 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252081  Manage childhood illnesses in an integrated manner 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nursing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Curative Health 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful for people working as clinically focused, service orientated, independent, registered staff nurses, who are able to render basic care to persons with stable and uncomplicated general health problems, as determined by the appropriate legislative framework.

This unit standard will recognise the essential knowledge and skills required to implement the integrated management of childhood illnesses in the assessment and management of children 1 week-5 years.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Assess an ill child 2 months up to 5 years using the IMCI strategy.
  • Implement the IMCI management principles to address the identified health problems.
  • Provide support to the mother.
  • Provide follow up care. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Nutrition, including breastfeeding.
  • Immunity and immunisation.
  • Growth and development.
  • Principle of child-friendly services.
  • Prescribing for minor ailments. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:
  • The Nurse functions within the scope of practice of a staff nurse as formulated by the SANC and the Nursing Act.
  • Childhood illnesses include: cough and cold, flu, dehydration, fever, chronic ear infection, below normal growth, anaemia, diarrhoea, hypertension, TB, HIV/AIDS, diabetes. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Assess an ill child 2 months up to 5 years using the IMCI strategy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Checks conducted for general danger signs comply with IMCI requirements and establish the need for urgent further attention, testing, pre-referral treatment and/or referral. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Danger signs include:
  • Inability to drink; vomiting; convulsions; lethargy; unconsciousness.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Main symptoms are assessed using appropriate methodology and classified correctly, according to IMCI protocols. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Symptoms include:
  • Cough; difficult breathing; wheezing; diarrhoea; dehydration; blood in stool; fever (meningitis, malaria); measles; ear problems.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Checks for malnutrition and/or anaemia consider all key indicators in line with IMCI protocols. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Indicators include:
  • Weight loss; oedema; palamar pallor; haemoglobin.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Assessment of HIV status and symptoms complies with IMCI protocols, determines the status of the child and/or mother and establishes a follow up testing schedule. Interactions with the mother ensure that status of both is confirmed, and that best practice is adopted to maintain optimal health status of both. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Immunisation status is established in terms of the set immunisation schedule. Missed immunisations are administered and future required immunisations scheduled as per IMCI protocols. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Further assessments conducted establish other health problems for both child and mother, in accordance with established procedures and protocols. Conditions beyond own scope of competence are referred promptly and to appropriate health professionals. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Further assessments include:
  • Skin infection; scabies; eye infection; tonsillitis.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Implement the IMCI management principles to address the identified health problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Treatment selected and administered is appropriate in terms of assessment and classification of illnesses, as indicated in the IMCI guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Caregiver education, and the information provided, is accurate, relevant and appropriate to the language and conceptual level of the caregiver. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Education complies with IMCI guidelines for the administration of oral drugs, and treatment of local infections by care givers in the home. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The action and purpose of treatments administered at a health care facility are clearly and accurately explained to the mother. Treatments are administered in accordance with IMCI protocols. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Treatments include:
  • Interventions; routine preventative.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Children with serious classifications are referred promptly to appropriate health professionals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Plans for home based treatment of diarrhoea make provisions for fluid intake and continued feeding, in line with IMCI guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Management of illness in children reflects both sound drug management and constructive engagement with caregivers based on the IMCI guidelines and protocols. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Provide support to the mother. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Assessment of the child's feeding establishes differences between normal feeding and feeding during illness, using IMCI techniques. Assessment establishes possible feeding related causes of illness or poor growth. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Feeding recommendations provide clear direction to mothers that is developmentally appropriate, and suitable for the child's health status. Recommendations are consistent with IMCI guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Support to mothers provides practical, evidence based advice with respect to feeding problems. Advice includes clear indicators and appropriate responses to assist the mother in decision making. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Schedules for clinic visits are established and agreed with the mother, together with the importance of compliance, in accordance with IMCI protocols. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Support provided to the mother offers practical guidelines and a rationale for maintenance of the mother's health. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Support in the event of HIV positive mothers is designed to reassure, as well as establish patterns for regular treatment and balanced diet. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Provide follow up care. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Children returning for follow-up care are assessed in terms of all previous classifications in the IMCI guidelines. Assessments are conducted in accordance with IMCI protocols. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Classifications include:
  • Pneumonia, wheezing, diarrhoea, dysentery, fever, malaria, ear infection, not growing well, feeding problem, anaemia.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    New problems are identified, assessed and classified in accordance with the IMCI assessment and classification protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Assessments and follow-up care for children with possible, known or symptomatic HIV infection include stipulated tests, assessment and counselling in accordance with the IMCI protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Palliative care for children with symptomatic or known HIV infection includes prescribe drug regimens and support for child and family, in accordance with IMCI protocols. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Terminal care for children with AIDS includes prescribe drug regimens, pain management and support for child and family, in accordance with IMCI protocols. Support provided to the family after the death of the child allows for proper grieving. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Accreditation Options:
  • Providers of learning towards this unit standard will need to meet the accreditation requirements of the relevant ETQA.

    Moderation Option:
  • The moderation requirements of the relevant ETQA must be met in order to award credit to learners for this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard:
  • Understanding and application of the IMCI strategy. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

    Note: Management of illnesses requires problem solving and decision making. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

    Note: Health care provision is team based. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note: Management of illnesses requires effective organisation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note: Core to the standard: Gathering information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

    Note: Core to the standard: Gathering and sharing information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Note: Essential in testing, assessment, planning and monitoring. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Note: The body as set of related a systems; impact of broader environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Notes to Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure that evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

    The following particular issues should be taken into consideration when assessing against this unit standard:
  • The SANC guidelines are used as a reference for integrated assessment.
  • Formative Assessment: A variety of assessment strategies and/or approaches integrating theory and practice must be used. These could be tests, assignments, projects, demonstrations or clinical assessments or any other applicable method.
  • Summative: This could take a form of oral, written and/or practical assessments as agreed to with the relevant ETQA.

    Definition of Terms:

    Terms have been clarified as far as possible through the use of range statements. Further clarification of terms is provided as follows:
  • IMCI: Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  59236   National Diploma: Nursing  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2020-07-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Core  59257   Bachelor of Nursing  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.