PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Iqbal Hossain AU - Isaac Mugoya AU - Lilian Muchai AU - Kirstin Krudwig AU - Nicole Davis AU - Lora Shimp AU - Vanessa Richart TI - Blended Learning Using Peer Mentoring and WhatsApp for Building Capacity of Health Workers for Strengthening Immunization Services in Kenya AID - 10.9745/GHSP-D-20-00421 DP - 2021 Mar 31 TA - Global Health: Science and Practice PG - 201--215 VI - 9 IP - 1 4099 - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/9/1/201.short 4100 - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/9/1/201.full SO - GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT2021 Mar 31; 9 AB - Key MessagesWe piloted peer mentoring with WhatsApp for immunization capacity building of maternal and child health (MCH) nurses in the Lari and Machakos subcounties of Kenya.Each mentor was assigned 4 mentees and provided on-site mentoring and hands-on training for 1 year. WhatsApp networking groups supported peer-mentoring efforts.In both subcounties, we observed positive changes in mentees' immunization knowledge, skills, and practices.The WhatsApp platform improved mentees' engagement with peers and promoted discussion and learning.Evidence from available studies suggests that peer mentoring is a useful tool to build health workers' knowledge, skills, and practices. However, there is a dearth of research on use of this method of learning in immunization programs. Although WhatsApp has been used as a networking platform among health care professionals, there is limited research on its potential contribution to improving the immunization competencies of health workers. This study showed that peer mentoring and WhatsApp networking are useful blended learning methods for need-based and individualized capacity building of health workers providing immunization services. Future research to assess the comparative cost-benefit between classroom-based training and peer mentoring (along with WhatsApp networking) will be useful.