The Relationship between Sexual Health Literacy, Self-Care, and Sexual Life Quality among Married Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Zahedan, Iran

Background and Objective: Given the importance of quality of sexual life in individual satisfaction and family health, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between sexual health literacy, sexual self-care, and the quality of sexual life among married women in Zahedan in ۲۰۲۴.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۴۶۰ women who were selected by multi-stage sampling method. Valid and reliable instruments were used to collect data, including the standard questionnaires of sexual health literacy (SHELA), sexual self-care and Simond sexual quality of life. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance, independent t-test and bivariate correlation in SPSS ۲۲ software. Predictors were also determined using hierarchical linear regression analysis.Results: The mean age was ۳۳±۷.۲ years. Education, occupation, number of children, and marriage age were significantly associated with SHL and self-care (p=۰.۰۰۱). Hierarchical regression showed demographic factors explained ۵۳% of SQoL variance. Adding SHL increased variance to ۶۰% (ΔR²=۰.۰۷), and including self-care brought the total to ۸۲% (ΔR²=۰.۲۲). Key predictors were promoting sexual health (β=۰.۱۳), cancer prevention (β=۰.۱۱), and analysis skills (β=۰.۱۰).Conclusion: The findings of this study emphasize the importance of promoting sexual health literacy and sexual self-care education in improving the quality of sexual life of women. It is suggested that educational programs and health interventions in this field be designed and implemented to help improve women's sexual health and quality of life.

کلیدواژه ها:

Health Literacy ، self care ، Sexual health ، Women's health ، Iran