CONTENTS
Chapters
- Thirty Years of Family Planning Programs
- Family Planning Demand
- Contraceptive Access
- Choice of Contraceptive Methods
- Client-Centered Quality
- Communication
- Well-Trained Providers
- Program Leadership and Strategic Management
- Research and Evaluation
- Political Commitment
- Financial Resources
Population Reports is published by the Population Information Program, Center for Communication Programs, The
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, Maryland
21202-4012, USA
Volume XXII, Number 2
August, 1994 |
Evidence of the Impact of Training
Although few studies have been conducted that carefully
measure how training family planning providers affects client
satisfaction, evaluations of training programs demonstrate that
training has improved services and helped to attract more
clients. In Chad, for example, after providers received training
in service delivery, they offered more services than before,
helping to increase the number of clients substantially (157).
Following a regional training program in West Africa, nurse
tutors nearly tripled their scores on a test to measure
reproductive health skills. Six months later site visits
confirmed that the trained nurses performed better as clinical
trainers (83). Counselors in Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, and
Mexico improved their understanding of the principles of informed consent and counseled clients more skillfully after participation in AVSC training workshops (5).
A study of the Ogun State, Nigeria, training program found
that nurses who participated in the program performed better than other nurses in all the areas of training—interpersonal
relations, counseling, information giving, and encouraging
continued use. Their clients were more satisfied as a result.
Some 84% of clients of the specially trained nurses returned for
follow-up visits compared with only 44% of clients of other
nurses (86).
Toward Comprehensive Training
In the long run, countries should develop a comprehensive
training program in family planning to improve their ability to
mobilize and use human resources effectively (105). A
comprehensive system should include both preservice and
in-service training for all types of clinicians, including
physicians, nurses, midwives, and other technicians. It should
include training in interpersonal relations for all service
providers who advise and counsel clients. It also should include
training for managers, supervisors, logistics officers, financial
officers, and others involved in the management of family
planning programs. Training should be competency-based and
include not only workshops but also such approaches as
supervisory checklists, refresher training, and problem-solving
teams of staff members and managers. |
