Outcome of RMNCH training of female health workers at regional health and family welfare training centre in northern part of India

Abstract

Background: Reducing maternal and child mortality were among the most important goals of the National Rural Health Mission with aim to increase institutional deliveries. NRHM identified the role of RMNCH councilors for advocacy and communication and social mobilization of disadvantaged people. In Himachal Pradesh Female Health workers were trained as RMNCH councilors at district level. Objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge of female health workers regarding postpartum family planning, reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health before and after administering structured teaching programme, to update knowledge and quality counseling skills on postpartum family planning, reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health and to evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching programme by comparing the pretest and posttest knowledge scores regarding postpartum family planning, reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health . Methods: Regional Health and Family Welfare Training Centre, Chheb, Kangra; imparted training to the female health workers of 6 districts. Five days Training was held in three batches of 20 participants each. Didactic lectures were delivered by experienced specialist of public health professionals, gynaecologist and paediatricians. Standardized training material developed by Government of India was used. Results: A total of 60 participants were enrolled but only 52 participated. The average age of the participants was 35 years ±5.7 years. The participants had an average 10 years of working experience. A majority 46% of these participants were working at Primary Health Centre. Knowledge mean score of various thematic areas of participants increased from mean score of 21.9 to 25.4. It was observed that after training post-test knowledge score showed significant improvement. Paired T test was found to be extremely significant (p<0.000) . Conclusions: Participants in a short course training focussing on RMNCH had significant improvements in scores on tests of knowledge gained. Widespread implementation of similar training under NRHM may bridge knowledge gaps for various health functionaries but still whether shorter knowledge gains are retained in the longer term remains unknown.