title: Improving the quality of service delivery in Nigeria.
abstract: This study evaluates the effect of a nurse training program in family planning counseling skills on the quality of service delivery at the clinic level, as well as its impact on client compliance with prearranged appointments. The study used a quasi-experimental design to compare certified nurses who received six weeks of family planning technical training with certified nurses who, in addition to the technical training course, received a three-day course in counseling skills. Data were collected through client exit interviews, expert observation, and inspection of medical record abstracts. Trained nurses performed better than their untrained counterparts in the quality-of-care areas investigated--interpersonal relations, information giving, counseling, and mechanisms for encouraging continuity. The likelihood that clients will attend follow-up visits was also found to improve when they were attended by trained professionals. Short-term counseling training can significantly improve the quality of care provided by family planning workers, as well as client compliance with follow-up appointments.
authors.affiliation: Population Communication Services, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21202.
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rimon
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Winnard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Corso
authors.forename: I V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Mako
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lawal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Babalola
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huntington
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003906:Developing Countries; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000639:trends; D009549:Nigeria; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000639:trends; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000639:trends*