The effect of educational intervention on sexual function of women referred to health center of south of Tehran

Background & Aim: Sexual function is one of the most important factors in the continuation of marital life and the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction that threatens marital life. This study aimed to examine the impact of sexual education program on improving sexual behavior among married women in Southern Tehran. Materials & Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 130 eligible women in two groups of intervention and control (each group was 65). The intervention group participated in two training sessions of each 90-minute session based on sexual function structures in a group discussion and face-to-face education. No control group received any intervention in the control group. Three months after intervention, both groups responded to post-test questionnaires. The data collection tool was a Personal Information Questionnaire (FSFI). Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical tests (independent t-test and paired t-test). Results: Totally 65 women took part with mean age of 35.6 ± 7.75 and 35.15± 6.85 in two groups of intervention and control respectively. At first, there were no significant differences between two groups in terms of demographic characteristics and score of sexual function scale. However, after three months the sexual behaviors of intervention group (28.14 ± 3.44 were significantly much better than control group 22.79 ± 6.60 (p <0/0001). The sexual performance scores of the intervention group after each intervention in each of the dimensions of sexual desire (3.60 ± 0.87), Arousal (4.18 ± 0.69), lubrication (4.98 ± 0.88), orgasm (4.98 ± 0.62), satisfaction (5.11 ± 0.874) and pain (5.29 ± 0.79). . Conclusion: Sexual health education is effective in improving female sexual function. Hence, education of correct sexual behaviors is recommended as an effective and cost effective solution to improve the sexual health of women.