Sexual Health Care Utilization in Married Middle Aged Women; A Cross-Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 PhD Student, Student Research Committee, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Midwifery and Reproductive Health Research Center AND Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Professor, Department of Nursing, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

4 Professor, Midwifery and Reproductive Health Research Center AND Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Sexual health is important in life course, but major researches and health programs are focused on reproductive age. This study aimed to assess sexual health care utilization in married middle aged women.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 326 middle-aged women (40 to 65 years old) in 2016 in Gorgan City, Iran, using Quota sampling. Data were gathered using researcher-made valid and reliable questionnaire including three parts of demographic and sexual health care, source of information, and place for sexual health help-seeking. Data were analyzed using descriptive, parametric, and nonparametric statistic tests via SPSS software at the significant level of P< 0.05.Findings: 46.9% of subjects did not have any clinical breast exam. 43.9% of them did not have Pap smear even every 5 years. 41.1% were referred to health centers for their sexual problems. 22.1% never asked their sexual problems from health care providers. The most important sexual health information sources were female health care providers (60%), books/magazines (32.8%), and friends (19.8%). Some demographic and reproductive characteristics were related to sexual health care score (P < 0.050).Conclusion: Sexual health status and utilization of sexual healthcare services in middle-aged women is not suitable and needs more attention. Conducting qualitative studies in order to deep evaluation of barriers and facilitating factors in a context-based approach is suggested.

Keywords

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 35, Issue 455 - Serial Number 455
September and October 2018
Pages 1640-1647

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 June 2017
  • Revise Date: 01 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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