Trainer’s Toolkit: Resources to Build Interpersonal Communication Skills

This toolkit contains materials developed for and adapted by frontline polio communication workers in the polio endemic state of Uttar Pradesh, to aid in their efforts in accelerating polio eradication in India. Collectively known as field and training tools, they are used daily by over 5,000 community and social mobilisers, and have been designed for use by people with a basic education. The following nine resources comprise this toolkit:

Social or Resource Map
This is a visual representation of a specified area (village or municipal block), which contains all key community resources and geographical information. It is most effective when developed through consultations with the community to identify the households of eligible children, locations of local influencers and strategic locations to set up the fixed-site booths, among other key factors. This map facilitates micro-planning of communication activities, as well as monitoring and situation analysis of the programme at a local level.

Booth Mobilization Plan
This planner includes strategies to immunise all eligible children, avenues for immunising missed children and planning and monitoring booth activity at the micro-level. It serves as a guide for the Community Mobilisation Coordinator (CMC) and is meant to be shared with local influencers to encourage active engagement and advocacy.

Field Book
This book allows frontline workers to organise and maintain detailed family records, which are in turn used to inform communication strategy at a local or individual case level. The Field Book is instrumental in assimilating useful qualitative data on a regular basis.

Field Guide
This guide is a family counselling tool, and has been divided into 4 sections:

1. How to Conduct a Child Survey
2. Overcoming Vaccine Avoidance Behaviour
3. Ways to Mobilise Mother’s Groups
4. Planning and Managing Booth and House-to-House Activities.

Flip Book
This book, entitled “Baton Baton Mein” answers 13 of the common, basic questions related to polio vaccination. It is a useful resource for interpersonal counselling sessions and group meetings.

Basic Training Module
This user-friendly guide instructs trainers in how to orient newly recruited frontline workers to their role in the program in two days. It is the result of five years of Social Mobilisation Network (SMNet) training experience, and contains methodology that has been used successfully for a variety of other training and motivational sessions within the polio partners group.

Training Book on IPC and Key Messages
This book is designed to accompany trainers and managers in their community interactions and onsite frontline worker training sessions. It covers topics such as:

• Interpersonal Communication
• Training Methods and Aids
• Polio Question and Answer
• Mother-Child Care and Health Messages

It also provides a record of questions and apprehensions that the trainer might encounter during these interactions.

Healthy People
Also known as “The Green Book,” this book is designed to enable frontline workers to relate health issues to religious teachings and clarify common misconceptions. In the context of readings and teachings from the holy Koran, the following health issues are addressed:

• polio
• immunisation
• hygiene
• breastfeeding
• cleanliness

This book allows polio workers to liaise more effectively with leaders of Muslim institutions and their followers.

Facts for Life
This book, originally a UNICEF international publication, addresses 13 themes related to child survival, development and growth. It is used as a training resource by field supervisors, as well as a reference guide for CMCs.