This e-manual was developed for master trainers to train trainers who in turn train field implementers – health workers, health assistants, NGO communicators and community volunteers – to lead facility and community-based health promotion. The e-manual provides detailed instructions for implementation of innovative, participatory community communication tools to generate community ownership and decision-making about key health information. The e-manual supports the master trainers to model health promotion activities designed for implementation by and for low and non-literate community members.
Innovative, participatory communication tools assist participants as well as session leaders to remember key health decision-making information. These interactive sessions are appropriate during ANC and routine Immunization (RI) when most of the clients are not distracted by illness. However, facility based sessions will not suffice to fill the widespread gaps in basic health knowledge and practices. Moreover, the health behaviours of mothers and caretakers are strongly influenced by their husbands, mothers and mothers-in-law as well as by the attitudes and practices of people in their social environment. Thus, the chapters are designed as a series of weekly participatory community-based sessions with small peer groups led by community volunteers.