Training of Trainers for Reproductive Health
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40th course (Francophone) - 16th March to 24th April, 1998
41st course (Anglophone) - 18th May to 26th June, 1998
42nd course (Francophone) - 31st August to 2nd October, 1998
43rd course (Anglophone) - 26th October to 4th December, 1998
Mauritius Institute of Health
Powder Mill
Pamplemousses
Mauritius
INTRODUCTION
This Regional Training of Trainers Project for Reproductive Health with
special emphasis on Family Planning is sponsored by the United Nations
Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). As the
implementation of Project activities is supported by the Government of
Mauritius, it is a Tripartite Project. However, the Government of Mau-
ritius is progressively taking over the Project under its aegis, but
the training activities will continue according to the objectives es-
tablished.
OBJECTIVES
To help the countries of the sub-Saharan region of Africa meet the hu-
man resource needs in reproductive health including family planning, by
developing a nucleus of skilled trainers to organise courses to train
trainers in their respective countries, thereby having a multiplier ef-
fect on training for the improvement of reproductive health resulting
in socio-economic development of the countries at large.
EXPERIENCE
The Mauritius Institute of Health which has inherited the structures of
the previous Regional Training Centre in Family Health, has fifteen
years of experience in organising national and international courses in
the field of reproductive health.
Its training programme in Reproductive Health for sub-Saharan African
countries is funded by UNFPA, WHO and other agencies. The government of
Mauritius provides institutional and personnel support to the Project.
The WHO, apart from sponsoring participants, acts in the executing
agency to the project, which had conducted 39 courses by the end of
1997. About 900 health personnel comprising physicians, nurses, nurse-
midwives, tutors among others from 44 countries have been trained by
the Project.
In its endeavour to guarantee the quality of teaching training and to
constantly raise and maintain its standard, the Project calls upon na-
tional and international facilitators/consultants to share experience
in their respective areas of speciality. In this field, it enlists the
collaboration of national and international organisations which in-
cludes: Mauritius Family Planning Association, Action Familiale and
various universities across Africa.
IN-COUNTRY COURSES
The Project has held courses recently in the following countries:
Comores, Madagascar, Seychelles and Tchad.
LOCATION AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Project is beautifully situated in the rural area of Pamplemousses
in Mauritius. Being a little island known as "the Pearl of Indian
Ocean", Mauritius is a tourist paradise where living is fun. Thanks to
the warmth and hospitality of its people, its cultural diversity, its
long democratic tradition, its political stability, its economic prog-
ress, and last but not least, its two special features namely: the bi-
lingualism (English and French) and the resounding success of Family
Planning Programme (winner of United Nations Gold Medal award of 1990),
Mauritius is currently the ideal venue for regional and international
courses in Training of Trainers in Reproductive Health with special em-
phasis on Family Planning.
TRAINING OF TRAINERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WITH EMPHASIS ON FAMILY
PLANNING
In its new version, the courses of the Project continue to update the
knowledge of Contraceptive Technology but focuses more on the educa-
tional methodology component in an integrated manner. This is an inno-
vative feature of the training course provided by the Project to suit
the needs of the African region.
COURSE CONTENT
The course consists of two modules, which are integrated and complemen-
tary. There is an overlapping that starts as from the first week it-
self.
Module 1: Reproductive Health
Reproductive health: concept, rationale and components
Gender issues
Traditional practices
Youth/adolescent reproductive health
Quality of care
Safe motherhood
Abortion: prevention and management of complications
Reproductive health services for refugees and displaced peo-
ple
Diseases of the reproductive tract, STDs, HIV/AIDS
Infertility
Contraceptive techniques: hormonal contraception (oral, in-
jectable, implants)
intrauterine devices, barrier, chemical, surgical and natu-
ral methods
Counselling
Family Planning in Mauritius
Elective placement
Module 2: Educational Methodology
Communications skills
Group dynamics
Learning needs assessment
Task analysis
Educational objectives
Teaching/learning methods (project, lecture, self-directed
and contract learning, problem-based learning, group discus-
sion, demonstration, role play and panel discussion)
Teaching/learning aids
Measurement of learning: (cognitive, psychomotor and affec-
tive domains)
Lesson planning
Component skills in teaching
Microteaching
Instructor evaluation
Curriculum planning
Organisation and management of a training programme
Evaluation of a training programme
TEACHING/LEARNING METHODOLOGY
The teaching/learning methodology used during the course enables and
encourages active involvement of participants and facilitators / con-
sultants. The methods comprise the following: expose, brainstorming,
discussions, group-works, plenary sessions, demonstration, simulation,
panel discussion, role-plays, case studies, practice on models, project
writing on country training needs, elective placement coupled with con-
tract learning and preparatory reading prior to respective teaching
sessions as well as library work. Extensive use of audio-visual sup-
ports is made throughout the course and this includes overhead projec-
tor, flip chart, white board, video films and slides.
EVALUATION
The evaluation comprises two components:
(i) Evaluation of content, session, facilitators, methodology and ad-
ministration by the participants
(ii) Evaluation of participants by the project professional staff on
the achievements of learning objectives in theoretical knowledge,
teaching skills and their application to training activities.
A pre-test is administered at the beginning of the course to determine
the strengths and weaknesses of individual participants, and their
level of knowledge and skills required to follow the course. This tool
enables the project to focus particular attention on those participants
who may require reinforcement all along the course. A post-test is also
administered at the end of the course as an appropriate tool for
learner assessment.
PROFILE OF PARTICIPANT
The course is designed for health personnel of different disciplines
who are directly and actively involved in training of trainers for re-
productive health. They include:
1. Members of in-service training teams
2. Supervisors/managers of programmes
3. Lecturers/tutors in professional schools (such as medical, nursing
and midwifery).
REGISTRATION
About twenty-four participants are selected for each course on a first-
come-first-served basis. Registration forms are available in all UNFPA,
WHO country offices and also at the Ministry of Health of each country
or on application to the Project.
DURATION
Each Training of Trainers course for Reproductive Health with special
emphasis in Family Planning lasts six weeks. Four courses are conducted
every year, in English and French alternately.
COURSE CALENDAR
Normally, two courses are run between March and June and another two
courses between August and December.
The calendar for the year 1998 is given above. The course calendar for
subsequent years can be obtained on request.
TRAINING COSTS
The cost of attendance to the course for each participant consists of:
(1) tutuion fees of US$ 2,500
(2) living allowance estimated around US$ 2500, being based on the
standard UN rate for fellowships.
(3) The cost of the air ticket and transit vary according to country of
origin.
FUNDING
Most participants are nominated by their governments. Financial spon-
sorship is available from international agencies operating in the
health and population fields such as UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, the World
Bank, the GTZ and KIT.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
During the course, a series of socio-cultural activities is organised
to enable participants to visit tourist sites in Mauritius and appreci-
ate local folk music.
ACCOMMODATION
The participants are booked in hotels or hostels of their choice in a
main town of the island. Transport is provided in the project vehicle
to participants for travel between accommodation and project premises
everyday besides the outings mentioned above.
PROGRAMME A LA CARTE
Apart from the series of Training of Trainers courses for Reproductive
Health, the Project offers other types of services, according to the
specific needs of the countries of the region. For example, in-country
courses in Reproductive Health/Family Planning, have been held in vari-
ous countries. It is a condensed version of the six-week Training of
Trainers course modified to meet the local needs.
Further information can be obtained from:
UNFPA/WHO/MOH
Regional Training of Trainers Project for Reproductive Health
Mauritius Institute of Health
Powder Mill
Pamplemousses
Mauritius
Tel: +230-243-4268 / 3772 / 3698
Fax: +230-243-4014
mailto:planning@syfed.mu.refer.org
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