An outcome based nutrition curriculum for counselors at HIV voluntary counseling and testing facilities in Vietnam.

We developed, monitored and evaluated an outcome based nutrition curriculum for counselors at HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) facilities in Can Tho City, Vietnam. This outcome based education (OBE) focused on expected competencies appropriate to the local context. The curriculum was designed to train 37 counselors working in HIV VCT centers in Can Tho City, Vietnam regarding nutrition. Lectures and learning activities were developed and assessment criteria were determined. The curriculum content was evaluated and modified by feedback from reviewers. During training, the HIV VCT counselors gave the curriculum a satisfactory rating. More than 80% of HIV VCT counselors stated the subject matter was easily or very easily understand. Testing revealed a significant mean increase in the HIV VCT counselor's competency by the end of training (p = 0.001). More than 89% of HIV VCT counselors felt confident in performing nutritional counseling. These findings suggest the usefulness of this OBE nutrition curriculum for training HIV VCT counselors.