Improving Frontline Healthcare Workers' Knowledge of Japanese Encephalitis and Other Vector-Borne Diseases Through a One-Day Interactive Training Programme: A Quasi-experimental Study

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BACKGROUND: Frontline healthcare workers (FHWs) are central to vector-borne disease (VBD) prevention and control, but evidence on the effectiveness of routine training programmes remains limited. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a one-day interactive training programme among FHWs in eastern India. METHODS: A quasi-experimental single-group pre-test-post-test study was conducted among FHWs in Deoghar, Jharkhand, India. Auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and multi-purpose workers (MPWs) (n = 39) received training on Japanese encephalitis (JE), while community health officers (CHOs) (n = 38) received training on major VBDs. Knowledge was assessed immediately before and after training using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Mean JE knowledge scores increased from 7.8 ± 3.8 to 17.1 ± 2.8 (mean difference: 9.3; Cohen's d = 1.9; p < 0.001) among ANMs and MPWs, while mean VBD knowledge scores increased from 8.5 ± 4.0 to 15.9 ± 2.6 (mean difference: 7.0; Cohen's d = 1.7; p < 0.001) among CHOs. Correct responses increased significantly for 18 of 20 JE-related knowledge items and 17 of 18 VBD-related knowledge items. Educational level independently predicted greater JE knowledge gain (B = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.34-1.72; p = 0.005), whereas no participant characteristic was associated with knowledge gain among CHOs. CONCLUSIONS: A structured one-day interactive training programme substantially improved knowledge of JE and other major VBDs among FHWs. These findings support regular guideline-based refresher training to strengthen frontline capacity for VBD prevention and control.

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