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The Effect of a Mobile App-Based Psychosexual Intervention on Promoting Help-Seeking Behaviors for Sexual Health Issues Among Iranian Newly Married Women: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Publisher



Maasoumi R1, 2 ; Sabetghadam S3, 4 ; Keramat A5 ; Talebi SS6 ; Aghayan SS7
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
  4. 4. Reproductive Health Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
  7. 7. Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran

Source: Sexuality Research and Social Policy Published:2024


Abstract

Introduction: Help-seeking regarding sexual health issues is low among women despite its high prevalence. The present study aims to investigate the effect of a mobile app-based psychosexual intervention on enhancing help-seeking behavior of newly married women in Iran, Rasht, regarding their sexual health issues. Methods: This study was a parallel randomized controlled trial, performed during December 25, 2021, to January 12, 2022, on 140 newly married women in Iran, Rasht. Data collection tools included a demographic data questionnaire, General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ), Actual Help-Seeking Questionnaire (AHSQ), and the female sexual function index-short form (FSFI-6). The intervention group received psychosexual intervention using a mobile app, the HISSS App, while the control group received an unrelated intervention regarding menstruation hygiene using the Easy Period App. The intervention lasted 6 weeks, and the outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after, and 8 weeks after the intervention. Results: A total of 119 participants successfully completed the study. The mean differences between groups for GHSQ and formal AHSQ immediately after the intervention were significant (10.49 [95% CI (8.33 to 12.65)], P <.001; (.57 [95% CI (.23 to.69)], P <.001). They remained significant after 8 weeks as well (11 [95% CI (8.02 to 13.99)], P <.001); (.69 [95% CI (.23 to 1.15)], P =.003) when compared to baseline. However, the between groups mean that differences of informal AHSQ and FSFI-6 were only significant immediately after the intervention (.52, [95% CI (.14,.90)], P =.007); (2.93 [95% CI (2.04, 3.82)], P <.001) and not after 8 weeks. Conclusions: Based on the results of the present study, a mobile app-based psychosexual intervention can enhance help-seeking behavior regarding sexual health issues among women in a short time. Policy Implications: It is recommended that public health policies prioritize community-based interventions to boost the accessibility and effectiveness of both informal and formal help-seeking sources. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
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