Impact evaluation of an international training course on HIV/AIDS

During 1988-1990, 32 physicians and 29 nurses from 28 countries of three WHO regions were trained in the clinical management of HIV/AIDS, at four WHO international courses conducted by The University of New South Wales, Sydney. This article briefly describes the curriculum and evaluation of the four courses and reports on an impact evaluation through mailed questionnaires to participants 2.5 to 4.5 years after their return home. The questionnaire return rate was very high (72.6%). There were strong indications that most respondents were appropriate selections for the training, with high commitment to HIV/AIDS care. Most respondents had duties related to HIV/AIDS and a little more than 3/5 had cared for at least one HIV/AIDS patient. Respondents had a high level of involvement in organizing and implementing training activities. A quarter had difficulty applying the acquired knowledge and skills to drug therapy and universal precautions using disposables, due to shortage of funds. The course used adult learning principles with emphasis on critical and reflective examination of course content by participants. Their positive evaluation of the course confirms the appropriateness of these approaches which are recommended for use in future courses at regional and national levels.