Increasing the uptake of prevention mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services through application of leading and managing practices among health workers in gombe state, Nigeria

Management Sciences for Health, Leadership Development Program was adapted of a selected group of health workers working at the Local Government Area level in Gombe State in northern Nigeria. The health workers attended a workshop where they were introduced to leading and managing practices and the a tool called the challenge model. With the understanding of a manager who leads as "one who enables others face challenges and achieve results", the participants took on a challenge to increase the uptake of Prevention Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) services in their local government areas. They chose a measurable result to increase uptake of PMTCT services by 25% through increasing the number of women attending Antenatal Care that are HIV counselled and tested in their primary health care facilities within twelve months. By applying leading and managing practices and using the challenge model, the health workers were able to report the number of pregnant women counselled and tested increased by 37% after one year which exceeded their set target. Interestingly some of the facilities had an implementing partner (IP) supporting them. However, results showed that the facilities that did not have an IP supporting them performed better (49% increase in the uptake of PMTCT service)than those who had an IP supporting them (31% increase in uptake of PMTCT service). They applied leading and managing practices which helped them lead their teams and manage their resources towards achieving and exceeding their set result.