Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Distribute the participant document Ways to Significantly Reduce the Risk of Sexually
Transmitted Infections.
Close this part of the session with the following points:
• All STIs can be prevented
o We have the right and responsibility to keep ourselves healthy and to reduce
the risk of STIs. Sometimes people:
• Do not know that they are at risk of getting a sexually transmitted
infection.
• Find it hard to advocate for themselves or follow the practices that can
keep them healthy.
• Avoid telling their partners, even if they know they have a sexually
transmitted infection.
o As we become more comfortable talking about STI risks with our partners and
discussing how to keep each other healthy, it becomes easier to engage in
behaviors that significantly reduce the risk of infection.
• Most STIs can be treated. Early detection and treatment can significantly
decrease serious complications, including infertility in both men and women.
• Mediators can offer opportunities for community members to think about, discuss,
and practice the communication skills they need to better advocate for their own
reproductive health and reduce the risk of infection. For example, they can help
people to:
o Improve their prevention practices
o Monitor their health and behavior on a regular basis
o Educate others about prevention of STIs, and about the importance of early
detection and treatment for preventing serious complications
o Request services if symptoms of STIs are noticed or if there is a chance of
infection
Inform people that they can choose an appropriate family planning method depending
upon whether they are at risk or are suffering from STIs or not (for example, IUD should
not be inserted in a women with and STI or PID; condoms may be used in association
with other contraceptive method if any risk of STIs is suspected).
III.
HIV/AIDS (40 minutes)
Briefly explain what HIV/AIDS is:
• AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a fatal and dangerous disease. It is
spreading at an alarming rate all over the world. Besides sexual intercourse, it can be
spread by sharing needles or sharp tools with an infected person, blood transfusion or
organ donation from an HIV positive person, and from mother–to-child during
pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.
• A virus known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes the disease. Once
HIV enters the body of a healthy person (by any one of its modes of transmission), it
multiplies and slowly destroys the immune system of the body by entering the blood
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 10: STIs