The effect of sexual health education program on sexual function and attitude in women at reproductive age in Iran

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Female sexual dysfunction is a common and often distressing public health problem. This study aimed to determine the effect of the sexual health program on female sexual function and attitude in reproductive age in the west of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a field trial study. A total of 103 women attending health centers were assigned into two groups; an experiment and a control group. Data collection tool involved sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, sexual female attitude questionnaire, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), which was completed by participants before and after the implementation of a sexual health education program. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22. RESULTS: The results revealed that after the intervention, female sexual function in the experiment group based on the FSFI tool was significantly improved (P < 0.01) in the domains of desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, pain, and the total score compared with the control group. Besides, there was no significant difference between posttest mean score of sexual attitude in the experiment group and control group (P > 0.05). However, a significant difference was found in the mean score of sexual attitudes in the experimental group before and after the intervention (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The findings showed that sexual health program was effective in improving women's sexual function and attitude in the experiment group. It is recommended that the effect of other training methods remain to be addressed on women's sexual function and attitude.