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Audience: TOT for health care personnel and program staff; community module for community-level volunteer health workers

Purpose: Train trainers and community volunteers in behavior change communication skills (negotiation, experiential learning cycle, participatory group talks, mother-to-mother support groups), breastfeeding, complementary feeding, maternal nutrition, and HIV and infant feeding. Provide additional training for trainers on adult learning and training techniques and provide opportunities to practice training techniques and plan training program.

Content:

Technical

Skills

Breastfeeding (advantages, initiation and colostrum, exclusive breastfeeding) How the breast makes milk Attachment and positioning Overcoming breastfeeding difficulties Breastfeeding in special situations Complementary feeding (role of breastmilk and foods in the child's diet) and FADUA Introduction of soft foods at 6 months Types and quantities of foods needed at each age (6-8 months, 9-11 months, and 1-2 years) Frequency of feeding complementary foods Using local foods to meet child's nutritional requirements Feeding during and after illness Characteristics of a mother-to-mother support group

Using visuals Facilitating participatory group talks and dramas Using negotiation in home visits Conducting follow-up visits Applying training techniques Planning future trainings

Methodology: Participants learn behavior change communication skills, optimal infant feeding practices and adult learning principles through participatory and experiential learning activities, including role-plays, small group exercises, peer observations, discussions, and community visits to practice negotiation and participatory groups talks.

Structure: The module is divided into three units: community module, training of trainers, and practice training. The community module takes 5 days. The TOT consists of the 5-day community module plus six additional days for sessions on adult learning and training techniques, preparation for and practice training, and action planning.

Materials and tools: Participant materials include learning session exercises, pre- and post-test tools with answer sheets, examples of food lists for infants of different age groups, and skills checklists. Trainer materials include instructions for learning activities, transparencies, examples of negotiation to guide the trainer, and a training evaluation.

Time: 11 days for TOT; 5 days for community
Languages: English
Country applications: Ghana
Date Developed: Updated March 2004