58th Regional Training of Trainers course in Reproductive Health with special emphasis on Family Planning 2 May - 10 June 2005 INTRODUCTION The Regional Training Programme for Reproductive Health with special emphasis on Family Planning is supported by the Govern- ment of Mauritius, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international agencies. OBJECTIVES To contribute to the health and socio-economic development in Africa and the region by improving the Reproductive Health (RH) status of the population through the provision of Training of Trainers programmes for Reproductive Health. EXPERIENCE The Mauritius Institute of Health which has inherited the struc- tures of the previous Regional Training Centre in Family Health set up by UNFPA in collaboration with WHO, has been organising national and international courses in the field of Reproductive Health since 1982. To date 53 courses have been conducted and more than 1200 health professionals comprising physicians, nurses, nurse/midwives and tutors from 44 countries of Africa and countries outside the re- gion such as Maldives and Nepal, have been trained. In its en- deavour to guarantee the quality of training and to constantly raise its standard, the Project calls upon national and interna- tional consultants. In this field it also enlists the collabora- tion of national and international organisations. Apart from the TOT courses the Programme organises tailor-made courses and study tours on specific aspects of RH/FP for health professionals from several countries. In response to requests, the Programme has provided technical support in the organisation of in-country courses in Comores, Madagascar, Seychelles and Tchad to meet specific needs of those countries. LOCATION AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The courses are conducted at the Mauritius Institute of Health in Pamplemousses, Mauritius. This island known as the ?Star and Key of the Indian Ocean? is a favourite tourist destination. The cultural diversity, bilingualism and hospitality of its people on the one hand, and its political stability and economic pro- gress on the other, make it an ideal environment for visitors. Furthermore, the success of its FP programme (winner of the UN Gold Medal Award 1990), makes of it a privileged venue for training in matters relating to RH. TRAINING OF TRAINERS FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WITH EMPHASIS ON FAMILY PLANNING While strengthening competencies in Reproductive Health, this training of trainers course in its present version places par- ticular emphasis on the development of competencies in Educa- tional Methodology that will enable the participants to play a leading role in the design, implementation and evaluation of relevant training programmes in their own countries. COURSE CONTENT The six-week course consists of two integrated and complementary modules: Module 1: Reproductive Health Concept, rationale and component of reproductive health Safe motherhood Youth / Adolescent Reproductive Health Abortion: Prevention and Management of complications Diseases of the Reproductive tract STDs, HIV/AIDS Infertility Reproductive Health Services for refugees and displaced people Gender issues Traditional practices Quality of care FP methods: Natural methods, Barrier, Chemical, Intrauterine de- vices, Hormonal contraception and Surgical methods Counselling Family Planning in Mauritius Module 2: Educational Methodology Communication skills Group dynamics Learning needs assessment Task analysis Educational Objectives Teaching/learning methods: project, lecture, self-directed and contract learning, problem-based learning, group discussion, demonstration, role play and panel discussion Teaching/learning aids Measurement of learning: cognitive and psychomotor and affective domains Lesson planning Component skills in teaching Instructor evaluation Curriculum planning Organisation and management of a training programme Evaluation of a training programme ELECTIVES During this placement in health and educational centres, par- ticipants are given the opportunity to attain specific objec- tives in areas of personal need through the implementation of a learning contract. COUNTRY TRAINING PROJECTS In parallel with the different steps in instructional design and educational planning, as they are addressed and mastered during the course, participants grouped in country teams, elaborate a country training course focused on a priority country need in reproductive health. Participants are encouraged to identify those country needs in collaboration with local authorities, prior to their departure for Mauritius. METHODOLOGY The learner-centered approach favoured in this course gives am- ple opportunity to participants to adopt an active role in their learning and empowers them for life-long education. A wide range of methods adapted to reproductive health training is modelled with appropriate use of teaching learning aids throughout the course. A feature of this course is an initiation to information tech- nology and to the Internet as a learning resource in a well- equipped computer laboratory at participants? disposal through- out the course. EVALUATION Evaluation comprises two components: (i) Evaluation of content, facilitators, methodology and organi- sation of the course by the participants (ii) Assessment of participants by the professional staff on the achievement 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 as- sess the level of pre-requisite skills to the course, and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of participants in rela- tion to the course content so that areas requiring special em- phasis can be determined. A post-test administered at the end of the course is one of sev- eral tools used for assessment of learning. PROFILE OF PARTICIPANT The course is designed for health professionals from different disciplines, who are directly and actively involved in training or training administration for reproductive health. They include members of in-service training teams, supervisors / programme managers, lecturers / tutors in professional (medical, nursing and midwifery) schools. This approach mirrors the multidiscipli- nary nature of primary health care and encourages mutual profes- sional understanding and the sharing of experiences. Partici- pants should have undergone basic training in family planning / contraceptive technology for a minimum of 2 months duration af- ter their primary professional training. TRAINING COSTS The tuition fees of each participant is US$ 2,500 Sponsoring agencies will be also responsible for the travel ar- rangements of participants and the living allowance for the time spent in Mauritius. Those agencies will be expected to provide participants with the airline ticket as well as an advance in foreign currency for the days spent in transit for both legs of journey. The living allowances for each participant is calculated accord- ing to the UN stipend rate for Mauritius. EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES During the course, a series of socio-cultural activities are or- ganised to enable participants to visit sites in Mauritius and appreciate local folk music. ACCOMMODATION Participants are booked in hotels or hostels of their choice in the vicinity of the Institute. Transport is provided between their place of accommodation and the Institute. PROGRAMME A LA CARTE Apart from the series of Training of Trainers Courses for Repro- ductive Health, the programme 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 conducted in various countries. Those are a condensed version of the six-week Training of Trainers Course modified to meet their specific needs. FUNDING Participants are generally nominated by their governments. Fi- nancial sponsorship is available from international agencies op- erating in the health and population fields such as the UNFPA and the WHO. However, other potential sources of funding are: German Technical Corporation, World Bank, UNICEF, Family Guid- ance Association of Ethiopia, Ministry of Health, Save the Chil- dren Fund, International Planned Parenthood Federation, UNHCR, Margaret Sanger, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, JHPIEGO, EDF, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), SADC among others. HOW TO APPLY Prospective candidates are invited to submit their applications directly to the Mauritius Institute of Health and apply for sponsorship to potential agencies. Application forms and further information can be obtained upon request from: Executive Director Mauritius Institute of Health Regional Training Programme for Reproductive Health Powder Mill Pamplemousses Mauritius Tel: +230-243-4268; +230-243-3772; +230-243-3698 Fax: +230-243-4014; +230-243-3270 mailto:indumih@intnet.mu mailto:mihealth@intnet.mu