An implementation experience: designing and implementing training of Female Community Health Volunteers on COPD

Clinical Research Results Abstract Research Idea Abstract Service Development & Evaluation Abstract Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant public health burden in Nepal. Female community health volunteers (FCHVs) are community health workers in Nepal who have been proven effective in improving community health programs for the last three decades, but their roles in COPD is unexplored. This study aims to develop, implement, and evaluate a training program for FCHVs regarding COPD prevention and management.Methods: This training is a part of a cluster-randomized trial of a 12-month intervention (COBIN-P trial) in COPD prevention and management in a semi-urban area of western Nepal. A six-day long training program was developed for FCHVs. Training materials consisted of introducing COPD, its risk factors and symptoms, COPD status assessment guide for FCHVs, and referral to local health centres for needy people living with COPD. Pre-and-post-tests were conducted and was followed by semi-structured interviews that assessed FCHVs' satisfaction with the training.Results: The pre-and post-test assessments showed a significant improvement in FCHVs' knowledge of COPD from a mean knowledge score of 38% before to 86% after the training. The qualitative evaluation revealed the FCHVs' eagerness towards the training and their interest in delivering the intervention package.Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that the training FCHVs for COPD management is feasible and leads to improvement in knowledge. The motivation shown by FCHVs to deliver the intervention could inform and guide community programs and policies for COPD prevention and management. Declaration of Interest None References and Clinical Trial Registry Information