Training need assessment of medical officers regarding adolescent health in two districts of Kashmir valley

Introduction: Adolescence is the phase of life which is characterized by acceleration of physical growth and, psychological and behavioural changes. These issues have not only a huge socioeconomic impact but also impact on National Health Indicators. Medical Officers working in the peripheral hospitals frequently come across the adolescents and hence need to be trained to deliver the best care to them. National Health Mission under RKSK is organizing trainings of Medical Officers in collaboration with Department of SPM Govt Medical College Srinagar. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of Medical Officers regarding adolescent health before the training, and to assess the impact of training upon the knowledge of Medical Officers regarding adolescent health. Methodology: Department of SPM GMC Srinagar conducted 6 three-day training workshops in collaboration with NHM under RKSK. In total 117 Medical Officers from two districts of Anantnag and Baramula of Kashmir valley were trained from January 2015 upto April 2015. A self-adminstered questionnaire was introduced to all the participants at the start of workshop and the same questionnaire was again introduced at the end of the workshop. Descriptive analysis was performed using percentages. Results: Overall 37% improvement in the knowledge of adolescent health was observed among Medical Officers after three-days training workshop. Discussion: Maximum improvement was seen in the domain of General knowledge (41.75%), indicating the need for such training programs and minimum improvement was seen in the domain of Reproductive health (30%), indicating the need for reassessment of training material and training approach of resource personnel in that domain. Overall a total of 37% improvement was seen which is appreciable. Hence such training programs should regularly be conducted among Medical Officers to update and refresh their knowledge.