Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

sick and spread to others.
‣ How can a person avoid getting a STI?
He/she doesn’t have sex.
Explain that most of the people choose to have sex. In this case:
‣ How can sexually active people significantly reduce the risk of STIs?
• Use condoms every time they have sex
• Have sex with only one person who is disease free and who has sex only with
him/her (be faithful)
• Do not have sex if he/she or his/her partner has an infection in the reproductive
system. Wait until after the infection has been fully treated
• Do not use unclean injection needles or have sex with someone who uses them.
‣ What other ways can sexually active people reduce the risk of STIs?
• Reduce the number of sexual partners
• Find ways to be sexual that do not include penetrative sex
• Communicate with their partners about STIs and the risk of infection
• Discuss with partner(s) about past sexual partners, needle drug use, and untested
transfusions
• Get regular checkups
• Monitor their bodies for signs of infection or for changes
• See a health professional if they notice a change that is not typical, or if they think
they may have been infected with a STI
• Do not abuse drugs or alcohol. These substances can cloud the judgment and
make it harder to protect reproductive health
• Make sure blood has been screened for disease before receiving a transfusion
• Believe they have the right to keep themselves healthy.
‣ Why is it important to detect early and to treat infections?
Without treatment, STIs can lead to serious complications such as:
• Infertility in men and women
• Eight to ten times increased risk of getting HIV/AIDS, if exposed to a STI
• Increased risk of cervical cancer
• Risky pregnancy, e.g., miscarriage, still births or infants born with birth defects,
including brain damage
• During birth, the newborn can get severe eye infection from mother’s birth-canal
and can become blind.
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 10: STIs