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Home‐Based Life‐Saving Skills in Liberia: Acquisition and Retention of Skills and Knowledge
Author(s) -
Lori Jody R.,
Majszak Christina M.,
Martyn Kristy K.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of midwifery and women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1016/j.jmwh.2009.09.016
Subject(s) - knowledge retention , life skills , dreyfus model of skill acquisition , psychology , mathematics education , medical education , pedagogy , medicine , economics , economic growth
In 2006, Home‐Based Life‐Saving Skills was introduced in three Liberian counties, in partnership with Africare‐Liberia and the Liberian Ministry of Health and with funding by the United States Agency for International Development. Methods: Traditional midwives and trained traditional midwives (N = 412) underwent pre‐ and immediate posttesting on four topics. Three hundred eighty‐nine (94%) of the original participants also completed 1‐year follow‐up posttesting. Results: Mean scores significantly improved between pre‐ and immediate posttests and knowledge improvement was stable at 1 year. Correct responses on individual steps for each of four topics significantly increased over the course of training. The data demonstrate a major change in the knowledge base of the traditional and trained traditional midwives acting as village guides. Discussion: Home‐Based Life‐Saving Skills is a viable means by which to improve community knowledge and decrease maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.