The development of a training model for peer learning facilitators in adolescent reproductive health in Zambia

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Zambia is reported to have high levels of maternal morbidity and mortality due to lowcontraceptive prevalence rates, over 50% of births not being attended to by skilledpersons, and teenage pregnancies. A number of organisations (stakeholders) haveinvested in the training of adolescent reproductive health peer educators with the aim ofempowering them to be role models to their peers in reproductive health, but Zambiadoes not have a generic and locally developed training programme for peer educators.The purpose of this study was to develop a training programme that would producecompetent and more effective peer educators for Zambia. The objectives were todetermine the characteristics of the ideal peer educator. Further objectives were toascertain the factors that contribute to or impair the development of the ideal peereducator, and to determine whether training programmes that were being used wereproducing ideal peer educators and enhancing healthy lifestyle behaviours.Key stakeholders participated in group interviews were they presented and critiqued theirtraining programmes. Emerging out of this process was a draft training programme,developed by the stakeholders.Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held with adolescent peer educators from Lusaka,Kafue, Livingstone and Maheba refugee camp. Data were analysed by triangulating theoutcomes of the group interviews (with the stakeholders) with the outcomes of the FGDsand reviewed literature. The FGDs highlighted the characteristics of an ideal peer educator as well as factors thatcontribute towards his/her competence development. Numerous factors were reportedthat had a negative impact on the development of an ideal peer educator.The peer educators reported that their training had had a positive effect on their lifestylebehaviours. While they had gained more knowledge on HIV and AIDS, theyrecommended more training on other health issues. The study found that at communitylevel, peer educators were not being given adequate respect because the concept ofvoluntary work was not readily accepted and they were regarded as failures in life. Majordemotivating factors were the lack of payment of incentives and the fact that peereducators were not certified. Peer educators did not receive sufficient support fromprogramme managers/coordinators to enable them to become more effective atcommunity level. Weaknesses in the way the training programmes were conducted werealso discerned.Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that more life skills' developmentbe promoted for peer educators. Training should be contextualised for the communitiesin which the peer educators work. The developed training programme, which should beused as a guide, should be repackaged to suit the profiles (e.g. values) of the differentcommunities. Adolescents and various social sectors (inclusive of indicatedstakeholders) ought to be involved in diagnosing community needs so as to influenceboth peers and communities in a way that would promote adolescent reproductive health.This study also recommends a more informal way of practising peer education, which would produce trainees who would be peer educators and role models in any givensetting.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University