Impact of Training Programme on Knowledge and Perception of Primary Health Care (PHC) Workers on Nutrition Component of Safe Motherhood Initiative in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction The global campaign to reduce maternal mortality was launched in 1987, when three United Nations agencies— United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Bank, and World Health Organization (WHO) —sponsored the international Safe Motherhood Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. The event aimed to raise awareness about the numbers of women dying each year from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and to challenge the world to intervene [1]. At that time the number of maternal deaths worldwide was estimated to be at least 600,000 each year with 99% of deaths occurring in the developing world. In spite of the promises and good expectations associated with SMI when founded, the programme is yet to witness a quantum leap in progress to reduce maternal challenges. This may be related to neglect of some vital components in the planning of which nutrition is fundamental [15]. In Nigeria, maternal mortality ratio is put at 545 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births [2]. Safe Motherhood refers to a situation in which no woman going through the physiological processes of pregnancy and childbirth suffers any injury or loses her life or that of the baby [3]. One of the core components of Safe Motherhood Initiatives (SMI) is nutrition, yet only few studies have considered this adequately. The goal of this intervention study was to evaluate the effect of training programme on knowledge and perception of PHC health workers on nutrition components of SMIs. The study was quasi-experimental involving two groups of 30 PHC health workers each purposively selected from Egbeda Local Government Area (LGA) (experimental group-EG) and Ido LGA (control group-CG). The two groups completed validated questionnaire at baseline. Knowledge and perception of nutrition components of SMIs were assessed using 42-point and 28-point scales respectively. Knowledge and perception gaps identified during the baseline survey were used to design module for training programme for the EG. Post-intervention assessment was conducted immediately and one month after the training among the two groups. These showed that knowledge scores at baseline, immediate post-intervention and one month postintervention were 12.6±2.9, 36.9±3.6 and 39.9±1.7 respectively (p 0.05). Difference in knowledge scores between the EG and CG groups at the different stages of assessment was significant (p 0.05). Training improved knowledge of health workers’ but had insignificant effect on perception of nutrition components of SMIs. The PHC health workers have right perception of nutrition components of SMIs but lack adequate knowledge. There is need for continuous training of health workers’ on nutrition components of SMI to enhance maternal and child care, especially at the PHC level. Citation: Oyewole OE, Ahmadu AA (2014) Impact of Training Programme on Knowledge and Perception of Primary Health Care (Phc) Workers on Nutrition Component of Safe Motherhood Initiative in SouthWest Nigeria. J Nutr Health Sci 1(3): 304. doi: 10.15744/2393-9060.1.304 Most maternal deaths occur in the developing world; making maternal mortality the health statistics with the largest disparity between developed and developing countries [4]. The consequences of malnutrition, in all its forms (both macronutrients and micronutrients) can be seen in poor birth outcomes and poor breast-feeding and other infant feeding and care practices.