Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Emphasize that HIV/AIDS can be prevented but it cannot be cured.
• Have a mutually faithful relationship with one sexual partner who is uninfected
• Use condoms every time you have sex with anyone whose HIV status you are not
sure of, or if you are not sure of your own
• Avoid injections with infected syringes or needles
• Do not share hypodermic needles, other needles, or razors
• Be sure that instruments used to pierce the skin are sterilized
• Do not have sex with someone who uses unclean needles
• Avoid blood transfusions if possible by keeping healthy and avoiding anemia
caused by malnutrition, repeated pregnancies, etc. If a transfusion is required,
blood should be tested for HIV before the transfusion.
• If there is a possible risk of transmission, be tested early to prevent further spread
• Keep yourself healthy, disease-free and clean
• Get STIs treated as early as possible
Summarize the activity with the following main points:
• Anyone can get HIV/AIDS if they are exposed to the blood, semen, or vaginal
fluid of an infected person. Most often, this happens due to unprotected sex or
sharing of hypodermic needles. Often there are no outward signs that a person has
been infected with HIV.
• To protect yourself against HIV/AIDS, abstain from sex or only have sex with an
uninfected partner. Using a condom every time you have sex can protect you and
your partner from getting and spreading HIV/AIDS. Also, do not share
hypodermic needles, other needles, or razors. And, do not have sex with someone
who uses unclean needles.
• It is important for mediators to know what community members already know
and believe about HIV/AIDS. Then, they can tailor educational messages to meet
the needs of the people they serve.
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 10: STIs