Parteneri
Chapter 5. Prevention. Education. Information. Communication
Chapter 5. Prevention. Education. Information. Communication
Findings
The evaluation team has proved that the education of population in the Republic of Moldova in the field of reproductive health is directed mainly towards the young. Thus, there are sexual education classes within the framework of the so-called “Life abilities” subject which is taught by trained schoolmasters. Teachers from these schools plead for this type of information, and the young confirm a high level of knowledge and are willing to learn more about, for example, abortion or centers where they can ask for services and additional information. Educational source materials are included in textbooks which reflect themes of reproductive health and adolescents can take these books in libraries. The majority of those questioned regard the school and family as the most adequate source of education for the young. The young people regard their trained classmates, volunteers and class leaders an appropriate source of information. The adolescents say that their parents do not discuss such a theme and notice that even some parents should be trained.
In one of the republic regions a radio station broadcasts IEC programs and many of those interviewed mention that those are good source of information.
It should be mentioned that the educational process in schools is sporadic and there is no permanent and efficient IEC system. “Life abilities” subject is placed last in time-table, teachers are old-aged and not adequately trained, adolescents receive marks, little time is devoted to sexual and reproductive health. Many institutions do not have sexual education classes at all. Some schools lack reproductive health educational materials and are supplied sporadically only when informative seminars are held. Educational materials (booklets, leaflets) are distributed only in centers and for the young.
Both students and professors of a medical school have shown a very low level of knowledge, even ironical and to some extend surpassed. Educational materials are presented mainly in advertising booklets of pharmaceutical firms and are far from being comprehensible. But neither these booklets nor other, of better quality, are sufficient since they are placed on stands and not destined for distribution. Hardly any of those questioned could recall to have been given a booklet or an informative leaflet with a doctor consulting suggestion. Some medical institutions have informative posters regarding patients rights, prophylaxis of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV-AIDS, treatment of mammary and cervical cancer, stands with necessary information and some contraceptive methods. There is no other modern information and educational data about abortion, but the existing one is reduced to “fright” and tragic abort consequences.
Many interviewed people declared that low standard of living and permanent “search” for livelihood did not leave time for their and their children’s education regarding family planning.
It does not seem that doctors can educate people permanently and efficiently: their visits to schools and regional medical centers are reduced to medical and prophylactic consultations. Hardly any doctor works with people of socially vulnerable groups.
Recommendation
- To provide and improve the quality of IEC measures by means of cooperation between administrative local authorities, Mass-media, schools, chemists, NGO (including non-medical activity NGO), MFC, HC, FPC and medical gynecology assistance
- To train a coherent mechanism of elaboration, approval, publication and dissemination of informative comprehensive materials (abortion and contraceptive methods, statutory documents). To form a combined group (doctors, NGO, education specialists, social assistants, lawyers etc.) for elaboration and approval of informative materials
- To systematize IEC measures for adolescents, parents and professors:
- To increase the number of RHS classes within the framework of new course of “Life abilities” subject and to instruct the teachers.
- To train organizers among adolescents regarding sexual and reproductive health and their parents.
- To introduce school medical assistance in IEC measures.
- To strengthen the cooperation of doctors-specialists, FP practitioners, and assistants from school centers benevolent towards the young in the process of implementation of IEC measures regarding RH.
- To provide informative materials to abortion departments.
- To sensitize and inform Mass-media representatives about IEC measures regarding RH by holding seminars and conferences, organizing district visits etc.
- To train pharmacists in the field of RH, family planning focusing on benevolent services towards clients.
- To develop monitoring and evaluation indicators of IEC implementation quality, to monitor and assess the impact of IEC system.