How to Promote Reproductive Health

Reproductive health is more than the absence of disease. It is also the ability to decide if and when to reproduce, having access to reproductive health care and family planning services, and being able to have a safe sex life. Poor reproductive health behaviors and practices can result in negative pregnancy and childbirth outcomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the reproductive system is fragile and easily infected or injured. Although many reproductive issues involve female anatomy, health promotion and education efforts should also include reproductive health information relevant to men.

Instructions

Preparation

• 1

  Assess the reproductive health status in your county using state or local demographic databases. This helps you to focus on specific areas in the community and determine which reproductive issues need the most attention. You can also gather information with community focus groups among target populations to get an idea of the issues that are important to residents.

• 2

  Determine what programs and services are currently available or lacking in the community. This may involve contacting your local health department, nonprofit organizations or physicians specializing in reproductive health.

• 3

  Research which advertising and marketing strategies work best in your area. You should consider the reproductive issue(s) that you are going to address, your target population and the time of year for promotional activities.

• 4

  Determine a specific time frame for all promotional efforts and estimate costs. Funding sources to consider are government grants and community businesses.

Promotion Strategies

• 5

  Contact the local radio station and newspaper to advertise new reproductive programs and health education classes. Incorporate public service announcements to reinforce your message about reproductive health.

• 6

  Conduct a health fair with organizations in the community that provide reproductive health services. Choose a location that is easily accessible by the target population. Include health ministries from local churches.

• 7

  Offer reproductive health classes and seminars that teach participants how to improve or maintain healthy reproductive behaviors. Create classes that are specific to a particular reproductive health issue. Use peer educators, who are the same age or slightly older than the group you are teaching, to facilitate classes.