Project News

Development of Audio-Visual Learning Material

The Audio-Visual Learning Material consists of a series of demonstration and instruction movies which intend to promote health worker's learning of new MCH and nutrition skills and services introduced alongside with MCH RB. Reproductive and Child Health and Nutrition officers of Family Health Division (FHD) of GHS started conceptualizing the Audio-Visual Learning Material from December 2018, and developed the movie scripts on ‘How to introduce MCH RB', ‘How to measure length/height and plotting', ‘How to conduct counseling', and additionally a few scripts of short messages for clients (pregnant women and caregivers). Based on the finalized scripts, Health Promotion Division (HPD) made the storyboards^[1]. The review committee in GHS went over the storyboards and gave the greenlight for the pre-testing.

Purpose of Pre-testing

The purpose of pre-testing of the storyboards was to find out if the story and main ideas of each session were understood well by the targeted audience and if there is any point for improvement. In addition, we intended to find out if the content was culturally appropriate.

Process of Pre-testing

From 2nd to 6th March 2020, the pre-testing of the storyboard was conducted in Northern Region, Ashanti Region, and Central Region which represents north, central, and south parts of the country accordingly. In each region, a team of FHD officer, HPD officer and project expert/project national staff visited health facilities in urban, semi-urban and urban areas, and carried out focus group discussion (FGD) and individual interview to the health workers and the clients (pregnant women and caregivers).

FGD with pregnant women in Ashanti Region

FGD with pregnant women in Central Region

FGD with health workers in Northern Region

Results of Pre-testing

Most of the health workers and clients liked the content of the storyboard and understood it very well. There were many encouraging comments like "The content is easy to understand. I cannot wait to watch the movie" and "It covers necessary contents. It will be useful for health worker's learning". Meanwhile, the study found several points for improvement. For example, more detailed explanation of the process and some exercises were needed for the calculation of Body Mass Index and estimated desired weight for expected date of delivery. Also, there was a suggestion to clearly indicate in the movie that health workers are encouraged to introduce MCH RB to clients in groups at busy health facilities.

Way forward

The next steps are to modify the storyboards based on the pre-testing results and then to proceed to shooting of the movies. MCH RB project will continue to support efforts of GHS to complete the movies and make it accessible to health workers and caregivers. Under the influence of Covid-19, we are expecting the movies to support remote-learning of health workers.