Preface

The Nutrition Learning Packages are for trainers to use in teaching community health workers to carry out the nutrition element of their jobs. They support the publication: Guidelines for training community health workers in nutrition, 2nd ed. (World Health Organization, 1986), which contains nine training modules giving the information on nutrition needed by community health workers. The training modules also contain guidance for trainers, and include sample exercises to be used with trainees.

The nine Nutrition Learning Packages complement these training modules. They review some nutrition information, but concentrate mainly on enabling trainers to help trainee community health workers develop the skills they need to teach nutrition in the community.

Each package contains a selection of materials, for example, information sheets, question-and-answer sheets, and ideas for role-plays and demonstrations. Each Nutrition Learning Package has a contents list where the materials are listed and the aims of the package clearly stated. Each package also contains suggestions for trainers on using the materials. The choice of materials in practice will depend on the tasks the trainees will need to be able to carry out in the community.

The term community health worker is used throughout the Nutrition Learning Packages, but the materials can be adapted and used for all types of community workers who deal with nutrition. They can also be adapted to be especially relevant for the local situation.