Factors affecting practical training in health training institutions in Tanzania

Background: In Tanzania has 192 registered middle level health and allied sciences training institutions offering certificate and diploma level programme. One of roles the Ministry of health is to produce a competent and qualified health personnel to offer quality health services to the citizen. Despite all the effort put in place by the Ministry of health, clinical practical training faces many challenges. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting practical trainings (skill laboratory and clinical rotations) in health training institutions.

Methods: Cross-sectional study design was used to find out factors affecting practical training. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 213 participants selected using a simple random sampling method.

Results: 185 (87%) of students had inadequate knowledge on skills laboratory training and 181(85%) of had inadequate knowledge on clinical rotation. Most of the resources for skill laboratory and clinical rotation were available. An average time spent by students during skill laboratory training and clinical rotation training was 2 week and 13 weeks respectively. A mean of frequency of students’ supervision during skill laboratory practical training and clinical rotation practical training was 2.

Conclusion There is inadequate knowledge and supervision on skill laboratory and clinical rotation among students. Most of the resources for practical training are available