November 2015 Dispatch - Maternal, Newborn, and Child Healthcare (MNCH) Training

MAISHA

Maternal, Newborn, and Child Healthcare (MNCH) Training

Community Health Workers gain insight into Maternal and Newborn Care CHVs in Nyeri County recently completed a 5day MNCH specific training module. In addition to the 10-day basic training course, which CHVs completed in late 2014, the MNCH-module provides in depth sessions that empower CHVs role within the community. The module is divided into home visits during pregnancy and home visits after birth. Essentially this intensive MNCH training provides CHVs with the knowledge and appropriate forms of communication to conduct successful home visits. As Lucy, a Njoki-ini nurse,

pointed out, “The CHVs may have all the information but if they don’t know how to share it than its is not useful to mothers.”

CHVs agreed that the course provided the key information and skills they used when doing home visits. According to the chairperson of Gichiche CHV group the volunteers had been encountering the module’s themes for some time but it wasn’t until completing the course that they felt confidence in understanding MNCH correctly.

November 16th – 27th

November 16th – 27th

December dates TBA

Research, discussions and preliminary training with TBAs in Migori.

Community Dialogue Days and CHV training of MNCH module in Migori.

Male perspectives on MNCH focus groups held in Migori and Nyeri.

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Curiosity-fuelled discussions The MNCH module training provides a open space for frank discussions and inquiries across a variety of MNCH topics. Sessions include information and instruction on promoting antenatal and postnatal care, proper breastfeeding, hand washing skills, recognizing danger signs for both mother and baby, and conducting home visits. During each session CHVs are encouraged to discuss the challenges they face and the questions they have. For instance, CHVs ask about calculating the duration of a woman’s pregnancy, how to properly complete their data registrars, and the myths of breast milk production. The module also includes two practical sessions whereby CHVs engage in demonstrations with a mother and baby.

Of the many sessions covered during the 5-day training danger signs for the mother and baby and proper breastfeeding were most popular among CHVs. The former provides CHVs with the knowledge to appropriately detect when a mother or baby must be referred to a health facility. Proper and early referrals can save lives! In respect to breastfeeding both male and female CHVs were keen to understand proper techniques. As Irene, a Gichiche CHV, pointed out, “I realized I had improperly breastfed my own children. Now I know how to properly breastfeed which is very encouraging!”

MNCH training … provides CHVs with the knowledge needed to advise pregnant women and mothers how to care for themselves and their babies during and after pregnancy. … is specific so CHVs know what to do on the ground. … improves CHVs ability to communicate with families in their community.

A valuable component of the MNCH module is the inclusion of male CHV members who have a particular role in galvanizing the interest of other male community members. Traditionally, and commonly in rural areas, Kenyan men do not involve themselves in MNCH matters and often do not accompany their spouses to health facilities during antenatal, birth or postnatal visits. For this reason, the behavior and knowledge modeled by the male CHVs can promote a change to this practice. As trainers have pointed out, male CHVs are not shy when learning about maternal health because they are given the forum to do so. Therein male CHVs can encourage fellow men in the community to support the pregnant women in their lives.

The MAISHA team will next deliver the MNCH training to Migori CHVs and host focus groups on increasing male involvement.