Study on the outcome of a distance education programme on knowledge, attitudes and performances of public health midwives in post partum care of the mother and in care of the newborn.

Abstract

The objective of the study was to plan, develop, implement and to assess the outcome of a distance education programme for a group of identified public health midwives(PHMM) in 'post partum care of the mother' and on 'care of the newborn' in the field using an experimental study design. The distance education approach was effective in improving the knowledge of the PHMM. Although it was not found to be successful in improving attitudes, it was effective in improving the performance of PHMM in selected areas. Planning, development and implementation of a distance education programme is feasible specially in the context of the availability of personnel and organizational structure of divisional directors of health services areas