Effect of WHO-Guided Training Interventions on Maternal and Neonatal Health Service Quality in Primary Health Care Facilities in Benghazi: A Quasi-Experimental Pre–Post Study

Fatma Ziuo; Hoda Ghareeb; Aida Mohey; Azza Greiw; Eman Darwish

doi:10.54361/ajmas.269607

Authors

Fatma Ziuo Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4297-1505
Hoda Ghareeb Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5206-2009
Aida Mohey Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4495-8142
Azza Greiw Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1470-3896
Eman Darwish Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6951-2712

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54361/ajmas.269607

Keywords:

Maternal Health, Neonatal Care, Primary Health Care, Training Intervention

Abstract

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of training interventions based on World Health Organization (WHO) guideline recommendations on the quality of maternal and neonatal health care services at primary health care facilities (PHCFs) in Benghazi, Libya. A quasi-experimental pre–post study was conducted among 71 primary health care workers (PHCWs) in selected primary health care facilities in Benghazi between 2023 and 2024. The intervention included structured training sessions for PHCWs according to WHO recommendations. Data were collected at four time points (pre-intervention, immediate, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention) using performance checklists, satisfaction scales, and structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and Friedman tests for repeated measures. The present study reported a significant improvement in PHCWs’ performance across antenatal, natal, and postnatal care domains (p < 0.001). Also, satisfaction levels increased significantly across all domains, particularly in communication, patient-centered care, and safety indicators (p < 0.001). Conclusion: WHO-based training interventions significantly improved the quality of maternal and neonatal health services at the primary care level. Sustained improvements suggest that such interventions can enhance provider performance and patient satisfaction; however, periodic reinforcement may be necessary to maintain gains over time.