Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

‣ What did the mediator do to put the group at ease, make people feel comfortable?
Introduced herself and welcomed the group
‣ What did she do to encourage group participation?
She introduced the subject and suggested that it is a subject of concern to the group,
and invited their active participation.
Instead of telling the group about the subject, she asked them questions in order to help
them benefit from their own knowledge and experience, and in order to adapt the
discussion to their knowledge and experience. She corrected some information and
added new information as necessary.
‣ What steps did she follow?
• Introduced the subject
• Asked questions concerning the participants’ knowledge and experience
related to the subject
o Added new elements of information (not too many)
o Led a discussion of these new elements
o Summarized the ideas expressed by the group
o Posed questions about the application of what the group learned to their
personal lives
Emphasize that a group discussion is more participative and productive when the group is
limited to 15-20 people. When the group is larger, the method tends to become 'lecture' as it
is more difficult to engage everyone's participation.
‣ What were the objectives of the session? Were they achieved?
At the end of the session, the group should be able to:
• Explain the consequences to children when mothers only give babies rice and thin
porridge
• Explain when to begin supplemental feeding
• Name the first foods a mother should begin adding to a baby's diet and explain how
to prepare them
Choice of subject for a group discussion
Ask the group:
‣ What are some reproductive health topics that might be important to women in your
communities?
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 15: Group Education