Enhancing Behavior Change Skills in Health Extension Workers in Ethiopia: Evaluation of an Intervention to Improve Maternal and Infant Nutrition

Abstract

Maternal and infant nutrition are problematic in areas of Ethiopia. Health extension workers (HEWs) work in Ethiopia’s primary health care system, increasing potential health service coverage, particularly for women and children, providing an opportunity for health improvement. Their roles include improving maternal and infant nutrition, disease prevention, and health education. Supporting HEWs’ practice with ‘non-clinical’ skills in behavior change and health communication can improve effectiveness. This intervention study adapted and delivered a UK-developed training intervention for Health Extension Workers (HEWs) working with the United Nations World Food Programme in Ethiopia. The intervention included communication and behavioral training adapted with local contextual information. Mixed methods evaluation focused on participants’ reaction to training, knowledge, behavior change, and skills use. Overall, 98 HEWs were trained. The intervention was positively received by HEWs. Pre-post evaluations of communication and behavior change skills found a positive impact on HEW skills, knowledge, and motivation to use skills (all p < 0.001) to change women’s nutritional behavior, also demonstrated in role-play scenarios. The study offered substantial learning about intervention delivery. Appropriate cultural adaptation and careful consideration of assessment of psychological constructs are crucial for future delivery.

Pregnant mothers’ knowledge, attitude, practice and its predictors towards nutrition in public hospitals of Southern Ethiopia: A multicenter cross-sectional study

“…Likewise, the health extension workers (HEWs) have also been striving to mitigate the deficiency in nutrition knowledge and attitude among women, especially in the rural community. 22 However, about 47% of women lacked cognizance of balanced and diversified diets during the antenatal period. 23 Few studies on nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practice have been conducted in Ethiopia, particularly in the southern part of the country.…”

Analysis of the Effect of Mindfulness Behavior Intervention Combined with Progressive Breathing Training on Pulmonary Function Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…Originating from ancient Eastern meditation practices, positive behavioral interventions aim to emphasize the individual's ability to maintain attention and alertness to the task at hand, focus the mind on the activity being performed, promote rehabilitative exercise, and reduce the psychological burden of the patient. The efficacy of mindfulness therapy on clinical patients' quality of life, sleep quality, negative emotions, and postoperative pain has been widely recognized in recent years among a variety of psychological interventions [ 10 , 11 ].…”

“…e efficacy of mindfulness therapy on clinical patients' quality of life, sleep quality, negative emotions, and postoperative pain has been widely recognized in recent years among a variety of psychological interventions [10,11].…”

The level and determinants of knowledge and attitude towards nutrition among pregnant women in Minjar Shenkora district, Ethiopia

“…(29) Ethiopia's Ministry of Health (MoH) has used different strategies, such as nutrition education via social media. (30) Similarly, health extension workers have been working to address women's lack of dietary knowledge and attitude. However, approximately 47% of women lack knowledge of balanced and diversified diets during pregnancy.…”