Preliminary results of ICF dissemination in primary health care in Mozambique: Sharing the Italian experience

Abstract

Purpose. To present the preliminary results of training courses on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) prepared by Italian WHO FIC CC and to report on strategies for ICF dissemination among primary health care (PHC) workers in Mavalane Health Area, Maputo, Mozambique.

Methods. A participant-observer description of ICF principles introduction and development of ICF-CY modified checklists in Mavalane health area according to a person-environment interaction classification (PEIC) tree.

Results. The first ICF courses were held at Mavalane hospital and involved 25 health workers and 24 members of the health committee acting in the local area. The courses were prepared having as a framework the theoretical principles of the UN Convention of rights of persons with disabilities and the ICF bio-psychosocial model. The trainers adapted and modified the course materials to increase the applicability of the protocol to the cultural and social reality of Mozambique, eventually applying the person-environment interaction classification (PEIC) tree.

Conclusions. The very first phase of this project indicates that the use of the ICF checklist is feasible also in a crowded and busy environment like some PHC units of a developing country. However, data collection require a simpler and lighter to use data compilation tool. The proposed new checklist, which includes a PEIC tree, makes easier the compilation and the collection of data.

Keywords:

• Classification trees
• functioning
• disability
• environment
• ICF
• PHC
• PEIC

Acknowledgments

This research has been financed by the Italian Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. A special thank is due to Dr. Vladimir Kosic and Dr. Roberto Brancati who supported the objectives and the development of this project since its beginning.