title: Couples' voluntary HIV counseling and testing provider training evaluation, Zambia.
abstract: With the expansion of couples' voluntary HIV counseling and testing (CVCT) in urban Zambia, there is a growing need to evaluate CVCT provider trainings to ensure that couples are receiving quality counseling and care. We evaluated provider knowledge scores, pre- and post-training and predictors of pre- and post-training test scores. Providers operating in 67 government clinics in four Copperbelt Province cities were trained from 2008 to 2013 in three domains: counseling, rapid HIV laboratory testing and data management. Trainees received pre- and post-training tests on domain-specific topics. Pre- and post-training test scores were tabulated by provider demographics and training type, and paired t-tests evaluated differences in pre- and post-training test scores. Multivariable ANCOVA determined predictors of pre- and post-training test scores. We trained 1226 providers, and average test scores increased from 68.8% pre-training to 83.8% post-training (p < 0.001). Test scores increased significantly for every demographic group and training type (p < 0.001) with one exception-test scores did not significantly increase for those receiving counseling or data management training who had less than a high school education. In multivariable analysis, higher educational level and having a medical background were predictive of a higher pre-test score; higher pre-test scores and having a medical background were predictive of higher post-test scores. Pre- and post-test assessments are critical to ensure quality services, particularly as task-shifting from medical to lay staff becomes more common. Assessments showed that our CVCT trainings are successful at increasing knowledge, and that those with lower education may benefit from repeat trainings.
authors.affiliation: Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Marydale
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oppert
authors.affiliation: Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.|Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Wall
authors.affiliation: Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Mubiana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inambao
authors.affiliation: Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.|Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, Ndola District Community Health Office, Ndola, Zambia.
authors.forename: Matildah K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Simpungwe
authors.affiliation: Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Nurilign
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Abdallah
authors.affiliation: Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tichacek
authors.affiliation: Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Susan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education*; D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D015024:Zambia