Effectiveness of an educational programme about sickle cell disease in the form of active methodologies among community health agents and nursing technicians of primary care in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

BACKGROUND

The incidence of sickle cell disease (SCD) in newborns in Minas Gerais, Brazil is 1:1400, and is a considerable public health problem. Care for SCD at the primary level is still in its early stages and has not even been assessed even worldwide.

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness of a training programme about childhood SCD aimed at primary care professionals.

METHODS

Assessment of a SCD training course for 263 community health agents of the Family Health Programme was conducted using pre- and post-testing of knowledge related to epidemiological and clinical issues and management of children with SCD. In one of the three municipalities evaluated, the group that participated in the training (n = 82) was compared with a control group (n = 75). Active methods that consider trainees as the key protagonists of the educational programme were used throughout. The control group did not receive any training on SCD during the period.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in correct answers to questions after the intervention in the three municipalities (P < 0.001). This increase was significant in all the domains of the questionnaire. In a multivariate analysis, professionals in the intervention group showed a post- and pre-test score difference that was 8.7 times higher than that in the control group (95% CI 7.8-9.6). The length of employment as a community health worker had a modest positive effect on the difference in scores (P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

The educational intervention proved effective in increasing health care providers' knowledge.