*2.3. Randomization*

Participants were randomly allocated to one of three training programs based on stratification variables of age, education, and type of non-specialist health worker (i.e., ASHA, ASHA Facilitator, MPW). The study data manager conducted the randomization using the randomizer package available in R software. The age range of recruited ASHAs (24–42 years), ASHA Facilitators (31–46 years), and MPWs (39–52 years) varied widely, hence it was decided to keep different cut-off points for stratification based on the average age for each category of health worker. Two strata for age variables for ASHAs were age ≤35 and age >35; for ASHA Facilitators were age ≤37 and age >37; and for MPWs were age ≤47 and age >47. Similarly, stratification for education for ASHAs was 8th standard and >8th standard; for ASHA Facilitators was 8–12th standard and >12th standard; and for MPWs was 8–12th standard and >12th standard. In total, there were 12 strata to maintain a balance of participant characteristics across study arms. This also served as an opportunity to pilot test our randomization procedures in preparation for the forthcoming larger trial.
