Our Works

Learning clubs for women’s health and infant development – Phase I

Description: 

Our bold idea is to establish Learning Clubs, where women in pregnancy and 24 months of postpartum participate in an evidence-informed and structured educational program on early childcare and development in terms of physical health, language, intellectual, cognitive, emotional, motor and social interaction skill development and maternal mental health care. Learning Clubs also act as a forum for fathers and grandparents to attend and learn how to play active roles in maternal and child care.

Phase 1 (2014 – 2015)

Overall objective:

To improve child development index in rural Vietnam through a community-based educational program towards behavior change of family members in pregnancy care and childcare (0-24 months of age) in the direction of “increasing positive elements and reducing negative elements”.

Specific objectives:

  • To develop and pilot an educational program operated by Communal Women’s Union and Healthcare Center in the form of club sessions for pregnant women and families with infants at 0-24 months of age to ensure comprehensive child development.
  • To measure changes in infants’ physical, intellectual, nutritional, psychological – emotional – social development on the basis of positive changes made by families in child-rearing as recommended by the World Health Organization.

Main intervention activities

  • To develop structured educational curriculum based on international and national programs
  • To provide 7 training courses for community facilitators at provincial, district and communal level
  • To operate 3 Learning Clubs in consecutive 12 months (2 sessions/month) with Women’s Union’s responsibility in implementation
  • To form self-help groups to support families in need
  • To conduct baseline survey and final evaluation, M&E and supervision

Project settings

The project is implemented in 3 communes, namely, Doi Son, Liem Can, and Nhan Thinh, which are randomly selected from 104 communes in Ha Nam Province. The curriculum consists of 5 modules, 9 topics and 24 units.

9 topics

1.      Pregnancy care

2.      Labor and delivery 

3.      Maternal mental health care in pregnancy and postpartum

4.      Neonatal care

5.      Breastfeeding and supplementary feeding

6.      Care for child illness

7.      Instructions for stimulating infants’ physical, intellectual, nutritional, psychological – emotional –        social development

8.      Child injury prevention

9.      Family support in maternal and child care

Project Progress of Phase 1

35 club sessions conducted

365 participants including women and family members

856 participant-visits

67% average participation rate

Some comments by participants and experts:

 “This is the first time I’ve seen fetal development. The DVDs are very easy to understand with moderate speech rate so I can remember key messages. I’m interested in the whole 24 units. Previously, I always followed the elders’ experience.  From now on, I will apply evidence-based knowledge.” 

(Ms. Lieu, Village 1, Nhan Thinh Commune)

“In terms of teaching methods, how to run and organize courses, I find it very scientific. Thanks to the combination of different ways of learning such as seeing, hearing, writing, practice and mock teaching, the training course is very practical. I find it definitely easy to understand.”

(Ms. Tan – President of Liem Can Communal Women’s Union)

“This project is very interesting and necessary for the community with the integration of comprehensive childcare services and the partnership with international programs so that the quality is guaranteed. Besides, it conveys knowledge into images for mothers to learn. This project is useful for the community so it should be integrated into national programs”.

(Dr. Vu Thi Kim Hoa – Deputy Director, Child Care and Protection Department – Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs)

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Publications

  • 5 DVDs presenting 24 units, with authentic images and sounds, providing knowledge and practical guidance on proper child care for infants at 0-24 months of age
  • 5 manuals designed concisely for club facilitators to guide family members about child-rearing
  • 2 manuals on TOT and club operation, monitoring and supervision guidance
  • Posters and flyers for participants to remember key messages and practice at home

Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH9slUOUkNE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1qZ8gpqrYk

 

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