Project News

In 2019, the project conducted more intensive training for health workers on the MCH RB with the emphasis on Nutrition Counseling Services and Respectful Care in 11focus districts of Ashanti region (see table 1 for the names of 11 districts). The 30 sessions of the training were conducted between October 2019 and January 2020 to cover 990 health workers.

Prior to the health worker training, a baseline survey and situation analysis were conducted in the districts, and training materials as well as Operational Guidelines for Nutrition Counseling Services, and Respectful Care were developed.

Midwives, nutrition officers, and community health nurses were mainly targeted for the training. The three-day training included a variety of activities and the participants enjoyed a food demonstration to learn four-star diet, a card game to learn complementary feeding and role-plays to learn how to introduce MCH RB and how to provide counseling in a respectful manner. The participants also visited health facilities to practice counseling skills and measurement and recording skills of height/length and weight for mothers and babies.

ACHIEVEMENTS

30 sessions of the 3-day training were conducted and a total of 990 health workers completed the training. The table shows the number of trained health workers in each district and a total.

TABLE1: NUMBER OF HEALTH WORKERS TRAINED IN EACH DISTRICTS

7 Districts (old demarcation)	11 Districts (new demarcation)	Planned	Implemented
Adansi North	Adansi Asokwa	93	97
	Adansi North
Adansi South	Adansi South	126	119
	Adansi Akrofruom
Amansie Central	Amansie Central	71	76
Amansie West	Amansie South	126	132
	Amansie West
Atwima Mponua	Atwima Mponua	75	106
Atwima Nwabiagya	Atwima Nwabiagya	299	308
	Atwima Nwabiagya North
Atwima Kwanwoma	Atwima Kwanwoma	152	152
Total		942	990

Pre-test and post-test were conducted at each training session as well as the observation of counselling skills and respectful care at the practical session at hospitals and health centres. The Post-test scores of all participants improved significantly compared to pre-test, measurement and the counseling and measurement skill showed improvement in the observation.

The Project will conduct monitoring and supervision following the training to support smooth implementation of NCSRC utilizing MCH RB at their designated health facilities. This is the important step to promote quality MCH and Nutrition services in 11 focus districts.

Participants are taking through sessions of the training by some facilitators

Field practice by participants

Some participants in a food demonstration exercise

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