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Romania: Campaign Increases Contraception Use Among Factory Workers BUCHAREST, Romania, October 15, 2005 — PSI/Romania's "Among Us Women" initiative is increasing the use of modern contraception by providing voluntary family planning and reproductive health education to Romanian women of reproductive age. Among Us Women has contributed to the success of the John Snow Inc.'s (JSI) Romanian Family Health Initiative, which is funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Research has shown that not only has the total abortion rate decreased since the implementation of these combined efforts, but also that it is first time since the fall of Communism that Romanian women have more live births than abortions. President George W. Bush has stated that "one of the best ways to prevent abortion is by providing quality voluntary family planning services," according to a United States Department of State document. Since its inception in 2002, PSI/Romania's Among Us Women campaign has reached over 150,000 Romanian women of reproductive age. The program targets factory workers in an effort to improve awareness of contraception options and encourage responsible choices regarding reproductive health. Among Us Women sessions have provided the opportunity to address cultural barriers and demystify reproductive health issues amongst Romanian women. Among Us Women sessions are conducted in places where there is a high concentration of female workers; textile and shoe factories, bakeries, technical schools and other production factories located in urban areas throughout Romania. PSI works with local doctors, holding sessions before or after work shifts or during lunch breaks. "The fact that many women are willing to come to work early, or stay late, or use their lunch break to hear what we have to say indicates that we are filling a need, that what we are providing is important," says Dr. Anamaria Alexandru, one of the reproductive health coordinators (RHCs) currently implementing the initiative. The 1999 Romania Reproductive Health Survey showed that a main barrier
to acceptance and consistent use of modern contraceptives is incorrect
information. To combat this, the Among Us Women campaign facilitates
dialogue. "The most common myths that we deal with are that the
pill causes facial hair and cancer," says Program Manager Dr. Mihai
Goldner. The doctors discuss varying methods of family planning, the
risks associated with induced abortions, and how to protect oneself
from STIs and HIV/AIDS. At the close of the session RHCs provide referrals
to local doctors and clinics, and participants are given the "Women's
Health Guide" which details information on contraceptive methods
and other reproductive health issues, and offers condoms and prizes
for responding to session review questions. The Among Us Women campaign is made possible by JSI, the prime contractor of the Romanian Family Health Initiative funded by USAID through September of 2006. — Carlie Danielson, PSI/Washington
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