Another major milestone that the organization marked during this period was the successful training of the pioneer class for the organisations’ training institute. After the organization being accredited by NASCOP, this gave a green light to mobilise and train HTS service providers. The organization mobilized the first class and ran a successful training which clearly set pace for subsequent classes. The students for the pioneer class had background in social sciences with both diploma and bachelor degree qualifications. This gave the trainers an easy time to take the students through the HTS modules as they had a good background. The class had a total of eleven students and the training ran form 8:00 AM in the morning to 5:00 PM for a total period of two weeks.
Brief Description of how the training was conducted:
The training targeted the professionals with diploma in health and social development related courses, alongside those working in the relevant HIV where HTS service is indicated. They included staff in the private sector, social development workers, and lay HTS counsellors. 15 participants were expected however; 11(3M, 8F) in total were trained with the engagement of 4 trainers. The participants did pre- and post-test assessments to gauge their level of understanding before and after the training.
Training methodology:
The training content included lectures, group work, power point presentation, demonstrations and practical sessions
The participants were taken through the following:
- HTS guideline and the national algorithm
- Background information on HIV burden, service coverage and interventions.
- Steps involved in specimen collection (capillary and DBS specimen collection)
- Quality assurance and standards processes including HIV Proficiency testing (updates on online management of PT)
- HIV testing procedures theory and practical sessions
- HIV testing data management-HIV data tools, MOH 643, MOH 642, MOH 362, MOH 731, Laboratory Stock Card, Laboratory top up form, S11 Form, F-CDRR3(Facility Consumption Data Report and Request for Laboratory Commodities
- HTS counselling protocol, skills, HTS core principles (6 Cs), HTS package and retesting guideline
- HIV self-testing (HIVST)
- HIV/syphilis dual testing
- Partner notification services (PNS) updates
- Safety in HIV testing
- HTS service Integration
- HTS promotion activities
Group work sessions, counselling and testing simulation sessions, practical blood testing (patient pricking) and role plays were conducted to translate theory into practical and realistic skills to enable first timer student to gain skills and attitude change/ confidence in testing the real clients.
AVAILABLE COURSES
A. HIV TESTING SERVICES HTS
This course is open to social workers and medical practitioners who are in the HIV/AIDS field and are interested in developing HTS skills. The course arrangement takes a continuous period of six weeks (two weeks in class and four weeks practicum). Each class has a group of fourteen to twenty participants facilitated by 4 tariners (2 clinical and 2 laboratory trainers of trainers) qualified by NASCOP. learners are then attached to a health facility with active HTS site for their practicum
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Diploma in social science or medical related course
- Interest or work experience in community work
- Interest to be working in HIV field or community work
B.ADHERENCE COUNSELLING
The target group for this course is HTS providers who are working in the HIV field and are interested in developing adherence counselling skills. Duration for the course is a minimum of one-week full time in class.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- MUST have a diploma in social sciences or medical related courses.
- Must have a certificate in HTS.
C. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
This course targets social workers, counsellors and medical workers.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- MUST have a diploma in social sciences or medical related courses.
- Duration: The course takes a total of 5 days full time in class.
D. SUPPORT SUPERVISION COURSE FOR HTS PROVIDERS
The target group for this course is HTS providers who are working in the HIV field and are interested in developing supervision skills.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- MUST have a diploma in social sciences or medical related courses.
- Must have a certificate in HTS.
- Duration: The course takes a total of 5 days full time in class.
E. COUNSELLING SKILS FOR CHILDREN
This course targets social workers, counsellors and medical workers.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- MUST have a diploma in social sciences or medical related courses.
- Duration: The course takes a total of 5 days full time in class.
INTAKES
Currently Intake is open and continuous for all the course. The next class shall start in November. For bookings and more information visit our offices; Ka-water house, off Siaya – Rang’ala road or call: 0708 355 322 or send a mail; info@theglobcom.org for inquiries. All are welcome.
