Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

‣ How do you feel about asking women about their reproductive health needs and/or
concerns without their requesting information or services?
Some mediators may feel reluctant to initiate discussions of women’s reproductive health
needs, thinking that it would be an invasion of a woman’s privacy, and that women would be
embarrassed or offended.
‣ How can you overcome your reluctance and/or respond to a woman’s embarrassment if it
occurs?
Clarify with the woman, or with women in a group situation, that your purpose is only to assist
her/them to consider needs and concerns, and to obtain services if desired, and that the choice is
hers/theirs; and that you are available to help with information and/or to obtain services if
needed.
III.
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE HUMAN BEHAVIOR (20 minutes)
Tell a story about a woman and the decisions she faced concerning her reproductive health and her
seeking services. (see trainer document: Story: Factors That Influence Human Behavior)
In the large group, ask participants to identify factors that influenced the woman’s behavior and
choices. As participants name various factors, draw a flower (with four petals labeled cultural,
social, perception and enabling) on a flip chart and fill in the petals with the factors, according to the
four categories.
Explain that in order to assist individuals to change certain behaviors and/or to seek certain
reproductive health services, we need to understand what kinds of things might influence their
behavior:
• Cultural factors, including:
Customs within the Roma community
Traditions that are passed down from parents to children
Religious beliefs
• Social factors: influences of other people (spouse, parents/relatives, friends, religious
leaders)
• People’s perception (their understanding and interpretation of messages). A person’s
perception is influenced by:
o Their understanding of language and terminology used
o Their understanding of any visual aids used to explain the message
o The quantity of information given
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 13: BCC