A cross-sectional study on the effect of post-rape training on knowledge and confidence of health professionals in South Africa

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine whether a national training program on post-rape care in South Africa resulted in improvements in knowledge and confidence in health professionals, and to distinguish baseline factors related to these changes in knowledge and confidence. MethodsData for this cross-sectional study were collected over four training sessions in 2008 using questionnaires and multiple choice question papers given to 152 health professionals. Information was collected on demographics, service provision, and previous training. The change in knowledge and confidence was calculated from baseline and post-training scores. Factors related to these changes in knowledge and confidence were tested through the development of two models. ResultsSeventy-four percent of the health professionals (n=112) who attended the training had completed all components of the data collection. The average age of the professionals was 41.6years, 71% were females, and 68% nurses. Health professionals showed significant increases in percentage knowledge (40% at baseline vs 51% post training; P<0.001) and confidence (67% at baseline vs 80% post training; P<0.001) after the training. In the final multivariate models, empathy was significantly associated with a change in knowledge (coefficient −1.2; 95% CI, −1.9 to 0.4; P=0.005), while the facility level and baseline knowledge and confidence were significantly associated with change in confidence. ConclusionThe training program was found to improve levels of knowledge and confidence in health professionals. Rollout of this program is critical with expansion into undergraduate curriculums.