reproductive health services for adolescents - Pathfinder International

Module 16/Unit 7
Specific Objective #4: Identify and respond to misconceptions and
rumors raised by adolescents
CONTENT
Knowledge/Attitudes/Skills
Rumors are unconfirmed stories that
are transferred from one person to
another by word of mouth. Rumors
are common among adolescents
because so much information (or
misinformation) is passed between and
among them. In general, rumors arise
when:
• An issue or information is important
to people, but it has not been clearly
explained.
• There is nobody available who can
clarify or correct the incorrect
information.
• The original source is perceived to
be credible.
• Clients have not been given enough
options for contraceptive methods.
• People are motivated to spread
them for political reasons.
A misconception is a mistaken
interpretation of ideas or
information. If a misconception is filled
with elaborate details and becomes a
fanciful story, then it acquires the
characteristics of a rumor. Rumors
develop and can play a big role with
adolescents because they are often
ignorant about such matters as
reproductive health and are eager to fill
"in the blanks.”
Unfortunately, rumors and
misconceptions are sometimes spread
by health workers who may themselves
be misinformed about certain methods or
Training/Learning Methods
(Time Required)
TRAINER PRESENTATION AND
GROUP DISCUSSION
(30 MIN.)
The trainer should:
• Ask Px to explain the differences
between a rumor and a
misconception.
• Write their responses on a piece of
flipchart and validate their answers.
• Cite reasons why rumors and
misconceptions might be believable.
• Distribute pieces of paper to Px.
• Ask Px to write down common
rumors that they have heard about
different methods of protection.
• Have Px tape their slips of paper to
the wall.
• Go around the room and have Px
identify the underlying and
immediate causes of some of the
rumors they have heard.
• Discuss the methods for
counteracting rumors and
misconceptions found in the content
section on the left-hand side of the
page.
• Explain the importance of knowing
both immediate and underlying
reasons for rumors and
misconceptions.
Pathfinder International
97
Adolescent Curriculum