Improving the sexual health of couples with diabetes: study protocol of an action research study

One of the most serious problems that threatens the sexual health of couples is diabetes. Diabetes is a global public health crisis affecting more than 0.5 billion adults worldwide. Inefficiency in implementing family planning or childbearing, sexually transmitted infections and sexual disorders in these patients can lead to psychological problems such as feelings of inadequacy, despair, loss of self-esteem and psychological consequences. Action research has the dual purpose of action, to bring about change in society or an organization or program, and research to increase the understanding of the researcher or the people involved with the problem, or both, in the wider community. Therefore, this study was designed with the aim of improving the sexual health of couples with diabetes with an action research approach.

This study will be done with an action research approach in four phases and several steps. In the first phase (planning), which includes 4 steps, during which the needs and challenges of sexual health of couples with diabetes are explained ([with a qualitative and quantitative approach), the literature review of databases, the explanation of suitable and practical solutions, the prioritization of strategy improve sexual health Diabetic couples and development of sexual health promotion program for diabetic couples and Identifying sexual function and sexual satisfaction before implementing the program [before action]will be done. In the second phase (action), the program resulting from the first phase will be implemented, and in the third and fourth phases, the program will be continuously observed and reflected in order to adjust and improve the program. Qualitative data analysis using conventional content analysis method, quantitative data analysis will be done with SPSS 27 statistical software.

Since diabetes affects the sexual health and marital satisfaction of couples, and considering that providing sexual health is one of the duties of reproductive health practitioners, and considering that the study of strategic action research is accepted to change attitudes, behavior and performance in the system. It seems that the application of the technical action research method opens the field for the entry of a research team consisting of various relevant experts to implement the plan resulting from It is the participants' own needs and strategy open.