Performance and training in family planning among recent Liberian health worker graduates; findings used to strengthen preservice education

In 2010 a task analysis survey of recently graduated Liberian nurses, midwives and physician assistants was conducted to determine how often they perform key service delivery tasks and whether training was received for these tasks either in school or on the job. The tasks included in the survey were based on the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS), which aims to increase health care access for all Liberians across the life span. The findings of the task analysis were used to identify opportunities to strengthen preservice education, including linking of performance standards, job descriptions, core competencies and curricula. Results of this survey in the area of family planning will be shared. A semi-structured survey of 203 health workers with 264 tasks spanning priority health areas specified in the six components of the BPHS (maternal and newborn health, child health, reproductive and adolescent health, communicable disease control, mental health and emergency care services) was conducted. Of all tasks, 16 focused on family planning (FP). Some findings are included here. Overall, a higher proportion of midwives perform FP tasks, versus nurses or PAs. Half of providers frequently give information on birth spacing and 45% never do. Almost all providers (96%) reported being trained on this task however 16% did not receive training in school. This task was not part of the curricula for each of the three cadres and integration of this task into the curricula was recommended. Additional findings, recommendations and policy implications will be presented and discussed.