Abstract:

Evidence from the developed world suggests that healthcare practitioners with greater Interpersonal communication (IPC) skills have better health outcomes after IPC training. There is less evidence from developing nations. This study examined the impact of an IPC training program on the knowledge, attitude, and reinforcing/supporting skills of ART practitioners at public ART hospitals in Gombe state, Nigeria. The study used a quasi-experimental design with two groups and two stages, as well as a multi-stage sampling approach. The knowledge disposition, attitude, and reinforcing and supporting IPC skills of 120 ART practitioners from six randomly selected hospitals were assessed. Then three weeks later, a 2-day IPC training using a self-administered structured questionnaire was carried out. SPSS Software (v. 22) was used to perform descriptive and inferential analyses on the data. At baseline, the Chi-Square test indicated no association between the groups on any of the demographic factors. The pre-intervention mean knowledge score was significantly higher (p = 0.019) in the experimental group than in the control group, although there were no significant differences in attitude (p=0.32) or reinforcing and support skills (p=0.786). After the IPC skills training program, significant differences were noticed between the experimental and control groups in terms of knowledge (p=.000) and attitude (p=0.006), but not in terms of reinforcing and support skills (p=.119). Training in interpersonal communication skills influences the knowledge and attitude of ART health providers in Gombe State. As a result, in-service IPC training is suggested for ART Health Providers in the State.

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