Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

personal questions.
• Recognize that when we ask certain questions, especially concerning attitudes and
feelings, what is important is that the woman begins to think about her response.
Whether or not she decides to share her response may not be important.
Ask the group:
‣ What are some of the reasons we ask women questions during discussions of
reproductive health?
• To understand reproductive health practices of women
• To assess women’s knowledge of recommended reproductive health practices
• To help women make decisions
• To help women to anticipate consequences if certain decisions are made
• To help woman act after having made decisions
‣ What are some questions you might ask a woman about reproductive health?
Note several examples on a flip chart. Most will likely be closed questions. Ensure
there are at least 2 open questions.
‣ What kinds of responses can one give to these questions?
Often a "yes", "no" or a fact. The response to a question indicates the kind of question
asked:
• closed question: only 1 answer is possible
• open question: several answers are possible
Draw attention to the open questions and the fact that they serve to:
• Ask for more information/specifics
• Help the woman identify possible alternatives and weigh the pros and cons of each
• Help the woman reflect on her situation, on her feelings and values, on her behavior
• Give more structure to the discussion.
Demonstration of the use of open questions. Two trainers demonstrate the use of open
questions (using a reproductive health example). (2 minutes)
Ask the group:
‣ What did you observe?
‣ In what ways did open questions contribute to communication between the mediator
and the woman in the community?
Open questions help the mediator:
• To understand reproductive health practices of women
• To assess women’s knowledge of recommended reproductive health practices
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 14: Interpersonal Communication