COMMUNITY health aides (CHAs) in St Ann and St Mary have completed training in contraceptive methods to improve their knowledge of, and ability to impart information on, each method.

Trainers from the National Family Planning Board (NFPB) guided the on-the-ground health-care workers to identify their pivotal role in family planning and contraceptive promotion for the success of the overall national programme. As they continue to walk the walk, and talk the talk, the CHAs were challenged by the trainers to examine their own value system and how it impacts their daily activities and interactions.

Each community health aide was immersed in the types, modes of action, efficacy, benefits, medical eligibility, and contraindications of the methods that range from non-hormonal to hormonal.

Effective counselling was underscored by the trainers with the highlighting of the instructional GATHER (greet, ask, tell, help, explain, return) approach. Additionally, debunking the prevailing myths and misconceptions that have dogged the uptake of contraceptives was a key component of the NFPB’s sessions.

As part of the methodology, interactive practice sessions through one-on-one and group presentations allowed the CHAs to display their knowledge of, and ability to, impart information on the contraceptive methods. The receptiveness of the participants underscored the importance and timeliness of the session to the success of their community work.