Sexual Health Educational Needs Assessment of Newly Married Women in Qom: A Qualitative Study

Aims: It is essential to empower and improve women's awareness of sexual health. In Iran, the specific needs of women in marriage do not meet due to cultural traits. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the sexual health education needs of newly married women, to extract their opinions, and enhance understanding. Participants & Methods: This qualitative study was carried out by purposive sampling in Qom city, 2019. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 married women. All interviews were recorded and typed. Data were analyzed using conventional content and was managed and organized using MAXQDA10 software. Findings: Educational needs were explained in 4 categories, 12 subcategories, and 28 codes. Extraction of study codes led to the emergence of educational needs of married women in four main categories, including psychological needs, individual and family needs, and recognition of marital factors as well as social and environmental needs. Furthermore, each main category included several subcategories, which were explained using some of the participants' opinions. Conclusion: The results indicated that married women need to receive specialized knowledge and skills in psychological, individual and family, marital factors, as well as social and environmental terms. Currently, the premarital education programs do not address many of these needs, especially sex education. Thus, the results of this study are useful for those in charge of educating couples in planning and implementing education programs based on needs in the pre and post-marriage period and improving the quality of education.