Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Sibnath Deb ¹, Chirasree Mitra ², Bishakha Majumdar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Applied Psychology Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, IN
2 Department of Applied Psychology University of Calcutta, Kolkata, IN

Abstract

The broad objective of the '12 Day Induction Training for antiretroviral therapy and community care centre (ART/CCC) Counsellors' was to impart knowledge and skills among ART/CCC counsellors with special reference to adherence, the medical aspects of intervention and the role of CCC and to study the impact of the training. The training programme was designed following the training schedule suggested by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). A group of 15 ART/CCC Counsellors from the North East States of India participated in the training. Out of the 15 participant counsellors, 10 were females while 5 were males. The training methods included interactive classroom lectures, group activities, role play and field visit. The resource persons for the training programme were the Master Trainers as well as qualified and experienced professionals. For evaluation of the training programme, pre-test and post-test design was followed and data were collected before and after the training using a Pre and Post Training Knowledge Questionnaire. A comparative analysis of pre and post training data demonstrates a clear trend of overall significant knowledge increase and skill development in all the 30 parameters, with small variations (p<0.01). Average score of the participant counsellors in the pre-training assessment was 19.0 while in the post-training assessment it was 38.5. The difference was found to be statistically significant at the 0.05 level. However, out of 21 knowledge areas there was no significant knowledge gain in about half of the areas while there was significant skill development in seven areas out of nine. Scores of pre and post training knowledge questionnaire were categorized into three grades i.e., 'Grade A' (score range: 41 60); 'Grade B' (score range: 21 40) and 'Grade C' (score range: '0 20'. Analysis of the pre training data demonstrates that out of the 15 counsellors, 9 and 6 were in 'Grade-C' and 'Grade-B' respectively. After attending the 12 day

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Sibnath Deb ¹, Chirasree Mitra ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, IN
2 Department of Applied Psychology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, IN

Abstract

The broad objective of the study was to understand the profile of the adolescents visiting the Anwesha Clinic, reasons for visit, and challenges in delivering the services. A group of 31 Anwesha (Adolescent) Clinic Counsellors was covered in the study. Data were collected using an in-depth interview guide and case study method. This apart, case study method was also adopted. So far as profile of the beneficiaries is concerned, beneficiaries mostly belonged to 10 to 19 years age group and above, came from poor socio-economical background and engaged in various daily wage earning jobs while some of the beneficiaries mostly males were also travelling to other cities and working as migrant labourers. Most of the adolescents were referred cases with common ailments like cold, cough, and fever. This apart, girls mostly visited the clinic with menstrual problems, white discharge, lower abdominal pain, unwanted pregnancy and anaemia while boys visited the clinic to clarify issues like masturbation, night fall and problems in relationships including phone sex. Some of the boys visited the clinic just for fun and to engage in casual conversation with the female counsellors. In general, follow up was very poor across the districts. The main problems faced by the counsellors were space problem for confidential counselling, negative attitude of the permanent staff at the centre towards the counsellors, who are contractual staff and lack of support from the authority. All the counsellors felt the need for intensive training for delivering effective services to the beneficiaries confidently. A number of steps are suggested towards effective delivery of services through Anwesha Clinic.

Keywords

Adolescent, Health, Anwesha Clinic, Counselling.

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