title: Training needs and evaluation of a neuro-HIV training module for non-physician healthcare workers in western Kenya.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent efforts to improve neurological care in resource-limited settings have focused on providing training to non-physician healthcare workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A one-day neuro-HIV training module emphasizing HIV-associated dementia (HAD) and peripheral neuropathy was provided to 71 health care workers in western Kenya. Pre- and post-tests were administered to 55 participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of participants was 29 years, 53% were clinical officers and 40% were nurses. Self-reported comfort was significantly higher for treating medical versus neurologic conditions (p<0.001). After training, participants identified more neuropathy etiologies (pre=5.6/9 possible correct etiologies; post=8.0/9; p<0.001). Only 4% of participants at baseline and 6% (p=0.31) post-training could correctly identify HAD diagnostic criteria, though there were fewer mis-identified criteria such as abnormal level of consciousness (pre=82%; post=43%; p<0.001) and hallucinations (pre=57%; post=15%; p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare workers were more comfortable treating medical than neurological conditions. This training significantly improved knowledge about etiologies of neuropathy and decreased some misconceptions about HAD.
authors.affiliation: University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Deanna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cettomai
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kwasa
authors.forename: Gretchen L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Birbeck
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bukusi
authors.forename: Ana-Claire
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000193:education*; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult