Competencies for Professionals in Population and Reproductive Health
PRH Policy, History & Trends
- Know significant past and current national legislative developments relevant to the field of reproductive health.
- Be able to analyze the health, fiscal, administrative, legal, social, and political implications of PRH policy options.
- Be able to develop policy implementation plans, including goals, outcome and process objectives, implementation steps and evaluation plan.
Theories & Models Pertinent to PRH
- Know the theories used in the design and delivery of comprehensive and culturally appropriate PRH services and programs
- Be able to apply health promotion and sociological theories for programs designed to improve PRH at the individual, family, and community levels
Socioeconomic and Behavioral Factors
- Understand how socio-economic and behavioral factors impact health status and health behaviors
- Be able to identify the socio-economic and behavioral factors that impact reproductive health of individuals and populations
- Understand the principles of community needs assessment, program design and implementation
- Be able to conduct community needs assessments and design RH programs
RH Program Evaluation & Research
- Understand the principles of evaluation, research design, sampling, basic descriptive and inferential statistics, and validity/reliability assessment measures
- Be able to conduct evaluations of RH programs
- Understand communications theories used in the development of RH education materials
- Be able to develop effective RH information, education and communication materials
- Understand the impact of culture on reproductive health behaviors and health status
- Be able to engage community members in the design and evaluation of RH programs that integrate a
community’s cultural norms, beliefs, and practices - Be able to develop culturally appropriate RH promotional materials
- Understand specific biological processes related to RH, including STD/HIV transmission, contraceptive technology, and pregnancy
- Be able to describe the biological process of STD/HIV transmission, contraceptive technology, and
pregnancy
- Understand the ethical issues, such as informed consent and confidentiality, involved in PRH practice, program management, evaluation, and research
- Be able to develop appropriate protocols and consent forms to uphold ethical principles
- Understand the function of the legislative, judicial, and administrative bodies at the national, state, and local levels and how they influence RH policy
- Be able to identify weaknesses in RH programs that require policy initiatives
- Be able to design and carry out an advocacy campaign on RH issues