The Perinatal Education Programme (PEP) is produced and distributed by the Perinatal Education Trust, a non-profit organization, which aims to improve the care of pregnant women and their newborn infants, especially in poor, rural communities.

The PEP course is a unique form of self-help training for health professionals which places the responsibility for continuing education on the participants themselves. It is cheap, appropriate and practical and does not require a teacher.

Two prospective controlled trials have documented the effectiveness of the PEP course in improving theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, attitudes and patient care practices.

The PEP course offers an educational opportunity to all nurses and doctors who are not able to access traditional training programmes in maternal and newborn care.

It is widely used by both medical and nursing students. Although the PEP course was designed to address maternal and newborn care in South Africa, it would be very useful in other developing countries and poor communities in developed countries.

PEP learning material enables groups or individuals to manage their own continuing education courses. It may also be used in basic courses or formal training programmes.