Health Extension Worker Training: Key Findings from Post Training Evaluation. The Health Extension Worker Training was a success story for several reasons. Partners reached 100 workers at five different locations in Ethiopia, 48% of which who had never received a similar training before. One participant commented that, "the training completely changed my knowledge of water, sanitation, and personal hygiene." Of those who had received similar training, the majority said that this training was more successful than other trainings they had received. The training was successful on three fronts; 1) the presentation was effective and well received; 2) the content addressed the connection between sanitation and water, a connection which many reported hearing for the first time; and 3) the workers were actually provided with training on how to engage their local communities. The training delivery was considered extremely effective by many participants who: - valued its efficient use of time, clarity, the respect with which the participants were treated, the communication style, the hand-outs - valued the approach which emphasized problem identification - valued hearing about experiences from other areas, particularly their strengths and weaknesses. - valued the participatory approach with the chance to share their own experiences. Even more importantly, the participants reported that it increased their awareness, knowledge and understanding of critical WASH related concepts during the training; - improved knowledge of water, sanitation and hygiene - helped to correct wrong assumptions about water and sanitation - increased understanding of how water and sanitation are interrelated - learned how water is contaminated from source to the household level - learned the importance of team work and inter-sectorial collaboration - learned how to assess community’s WASH problems - learned how to engage the community in implementing WASH activities - learned how to select proper sites for WASH facilities Some participants felt that the trainings were too rushed and would have liked to have more time. Others said that it would have been helpful to have the manuals in the local languages. When asked what additional training they would like to have, the participants said they would like training on how water is related to malaria breeding; how to differentiate polluted and non-polluted water; pregnant women and health related to water, etc. They would also like training on how they can help their own communities themselves. Two of the health extension w...
