A Mixed Methods Study of Service Provider Capacity Development to Protect and Promote the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Street-Involved Youth: An Evaluation of Two Training Approaches

Abstract

The central purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the effectiveness of two types of training programs (face-to-face and online) that aim to enhance the capacity of service providers to work with street-involved youth (SIY) regarding their sexual and reproductive health (S&RH). Twenty-eight participants completed a six hour face-to-face training program that took place in one day. Twenty-nine participants completed a six hour online training program that took place over two weeks. The study evaluated participants' overall reactions to both training programs as well as three specific outcomes related to capacity development: cognitive learning (knowledge), affective learning (perceived comfort) and use of training (practice behaviour). Knowledge and perceived comfort were measured three times: prior to the training program; immediately after the training program; and six weeks after the training program. Participants’ reactions to the training program were measured immediately after the training program and practice behaviours were measured six weeks after the training program. The outcomes were measured via questionnaires containing closed- and open-ended questions. The quantitative components of this study were analyzed using descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVA, independent samples t-tests, and Fisher’s exact tests. The qualitative components were analyzed using content analysis. Overall, the mixed methods data demonstrated that: (a) participants in both training programs had positive reactions to their respective training programs; (b) participants in both programs experienced a statistically significant increase in knowledge immediately after the training and six weeks later; (c) face-to-face participants experienced a statistically significant increase in perceived comfort immediately after the training whereas online participants experienced a statistically significant increase in perceived comfort immediately after the training and six weeks later; and (d) six weeks after the training, approximately 46% of face-to-face participants and 72% of online participants had reportedly used their knowledge from their respective training programs. These findings suggest at least a short term enhancement of capacity development with service providers. Overall, this research demonstrated that although face-to-face and online S&RH training programs have their inherent strengths and challenges, both modalities represent acceptable and effective mechanisms for capacity development of service providers working with SIY.