BACKGROUND: India faces significant public health challenges from tobacco use, exacerbated by limited awareness and a shortage of trained leaders across sectors. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgency for scalable and accessible training solutions. In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched multiple Tobacco programs aimed at training individuals at various levels. However, these initiatives have not fully addressed the growing demand for trained personnel, partly due to logistical constraints, the diversity of India's population, and regional disparities in access to resources. The development and implementation of online tobacco control training programs in India present a promising solution to address the capacity-building gap in tobacco control.
METHODS: The Resource Centre for Tobacco Control established in a tertiary healthcare institute of India since 2018 had developed a self-paced comprehensive online courses on tobacco control. An e-learning platform, featuring basic and advanced modules tailored to professional needs, was developed taking consensus from experts from across the country. A total of 9 and 17 modules consisting of 27 and 71 topics were further established with help of subject-experts. Learning methods included pre- and post-tests, project assignments, and employment data analysis to track progress. Interactive sessions, multimedia content, and case studies were employed to enhance engagement.
RESULTS: Total 309 enrolled participants from 29 states, 215 completed the course, yielding a 70% completion rate. Pre- and post-test results demonstrated significant knowledge improvement, and evaluations showed high satisfaction levels (p<0.5). Participants expressed strong intentions to apply knowledge in their professional contexts. Challenges, including time management and content adjustments, were identified, shaping recommendations for future iterations.
CONCLUSIONS: The program effectively built capacity among professionals to tackle tobacco control challenges in India, showcasing the potential of flexible, scalable online training during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations include addressing completion barriers, expanding outreach to underrepresented regions.