Training Needs Assessment of Health Care Professionals in Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health in a Low-Income Setting in Tanzania

Abstract

BackgroundHealthcare delivery globally and particularly in low-income setting is challenged by multiple, complex and dynamic problems. The reproductive, maternal and newborn health (RMNH) care is among the most affected areas resulting into high maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity across the Sub Saharan region and Tanzania in particular. However, under-investment in adequate education and training of health care providers (HCPs) is reported worldwide and contributes to the critical shortages, and lack of adequate knowledge and skills among HCPs. The aim of this study was to assess the training needs among HCPs of RMNH care in selected health facilities of Mwanza, Tanzania. MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive and analytic survey using a self- administered questionnaire was conducted in 36 out of 80 health care facilities included in the Government of Canada and Aga Khan Foundation Canada funded Improving Access to Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health in Mwanza, Tanzania (IMPACT) project within the 8 Councils of Mwanza region in Tanzania. The training needs assessment (TNA) tool adapted from the Hennessy-Hicks’ Training Needs Assessment Questionnaire (TNAQ) instrument was used for data collection. The HCPs provided ratings on the importance of their task and their current performance of the task. The differences in scores were calculated to identify the greatest training needs. ResultsOut of 153 HCPs who responded to the TNA questionnaire, majority were registered (n=62) and enrolled (n=43) nurses. Ninety percent (n= 137) were from government-owned health facilities, mostly from hospitals 68 (45%). Training needs were high in 16 areas (out of 49) including cervical cancer screening and care; accessing research resources; basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care; and sexual and gender-based violence. The overall perceived importance of the training needs was significantly associated with perceived performance of tasks related to RMNH services (Pearson Correlation (r) = .256; p <001).ConclusionsThe study highlights 16 (out of 49) training gaps as perceived by HCPs working in RMNH in Tanzania. The utilization of findings from the TNA has great potential to facilitate designing of effective trainings for local RMNH services delivery hence improve the overall quality of care.

Simulation Training Needs of Nurses for Nursing High-Risk Premature Infants: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…These results may arise from differences in perception and performance, depending on the country’s level of healthcare and the presence and experience of qualified continuous professional training. In the current study, it was confirmed that a high proportion of participants (90.9%) had received clinical nursing training for high-risk premature infants, while Mbekenga et al [ 19 ] noted that there were issues such as a lack of quality education and training for healthcare providers, a lack of knowledge and skills among healthcare providers in neonatal nursing, and an unacceptably high neonatal mortality ratio.…”

“…The difference appears to have arisen in Lim et al [ 2 ] due to measuring performance converted into performance confidence. Another previous study [ 19 ] measured the importance of newborn care, targeting Tanzania’s registered nurses. The results demonstrated 92.6–98.7 out of 100 points, which—converted—is 4.63–4.94 points out of 5 points.…”

“…Swift nursing treatment must be provided for high-risk premature infants at birth, for which nurses must have the proficiency to respond quickly and accurately to emergencies, based on abundant experience and intuitive thinking [ 17 ]. Previous studies [ 17 , 18 , 19 ] focus mainly on identifying the necessity of nursing work in special situations, or the necessity of education in certain nursing fields. Nurses in the NICU feel that more specified education is needed for continuous development of expertise; however, they note that it is difficult to find studies that grasp the training contents required by nurses, an all-encompassing clinical nursing training [ 20 ].…”