Building a Maternal and Newborn Care Training Programme for Health-Care Professionals in Guinea-Bissau

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Medical Education
• Maternal and Child Health

Background:

• The Integrated Programme of Maternal and Child Health in Guinea-Bissau aims to decrease maternal and child mortality.
• Developing effective training for healthcare professionals is crucial for improving care quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To share experiences in developing and implementing a training program on maternal and newborn care.
• To assess the effectiveness of the training program for healthcare professionals in Guinea-Bissau.

Main Methods:

• A practical, interactive training program was delivered over eight weeks in four regions.
• Participants included nurses, midwives, and doctors with varying levels of experience.
• Trainee knowledge was assessed via a multiple-choice questionnaire, and satisfaction was measured through an anonymous survey.

Main Results:

• The training program received high ratings, with 91% to 95% of attendees rating pedagogical variables as 'good' or 'very good'.
• Trainees with 2-9 years of practice scored higher on the final test compared to those with less or more experience.
• The interactive and practical methodology was effective in tailoring the training to local needs.

Conclusions:

• The interactive and practical pedagogical approach was effective and essential for adapting training to local contexts.
• Further development and evaluation of maternal and neonatal care training programs in Guinea-Bissau are warranted.
• Consideration should be given to adapting training syllabi based on professional categories and experience levels.