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The Effect of Sexual Health Education Program Based on the Health Belief Model on Sexual Function and Sexual Health
Mahdieh Hardani Naeimzadeh1, Zahra Khazir2, Zahra Keshtkaran3
1School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hazrat Fatemeh Shiraz, Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Objectives:
Sexual health is a key factor in the stability of marital life and is considered one of the most important determinants of couples' well-being, contributing to a satisfactory quality of life. By enhancing sexual satisfaction, sexual health literacy plays a significant role in sexual functioning. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of a sexual health education program based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on sexual health literacy and sexual function among Iranian women.
Methods:
This experimental study involved 160 married women, with 80 participants in the intervention group and 80 in the control group, who attended urban comprehensive health service centers in Fasa city, Iran, during 2023-2024. The educational intervention was designed based on the constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM) and was implemented over eight sessions, each lasting 50 minutes. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, a knowledge questionnaire, an HBM constructs questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Iranian Adult Sexual Health Literacy Questionnaire. Both groups completed the questionnaires before the intervention and again three months after.
Results:
Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean scores of knowledge and HBM constructs between the two groups. However, post-intervention, a significant increase was observed in knowledge and all HBM constructs except for perceived barriers. Moreover, sexual health literacy and sexual function scores significantly improved in the intervention group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The comprehensive sexual health education program based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) effectively improved women's sexual function and enhanced their sexual health literacy in the short term. Therefore, it is recommended to integrate sexual counseling and education into the services offered by comprehensive health centers as part of women's health care. Additionally, empowering women through counseling and training in relationship and life skills is essential for promoting their sexual health.
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