Syndromic management training for non-formal care providers in Pakistan improves quality of care for sexually transmitted diseases STD care: a randomized clinical trial.
We conducted a randomized, controlled, three-armed trial to assess whether training in syndromic management, with provision of packets, could improve the quality of STD services provided among non-formal care providers. The quality of STD case management service, observed by "incognito patients" in both intervention groups, improved substantially compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The training-and-packets group performed better in service delivery, HIV-testing referral, and condom provision when compared to the training-only group (all p < 0.05). The training-and-packets group also retained more knowledge and practiced more skillfully at six months post-intervention when compared to the training-only group (p < 0.05). Exit interviews of clients suggested that 81% of providers in the intervention groups offered advice on condom use when compared to none of those in the control group (p < 0.001). Syndromic management training and free syndrome packets for non-formal providers had a positive impact on the quality of STD care among the trained providers.
Shah
S A
SA
Dow Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.
Kristensen
S
S
Memon
M A
MA
White
H L
HL
Vermund
S H
SH
D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome