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A Qualitative Assessment of the Sex Education Needs of Married Iranian Women

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Abstract

Despite a comprehensive reproductive health program there is little sex education available in Iran. In this article we present results of a study conducted to identify content area for a proposed sex education program for married Iranian women. Twenty-one married female clients (23–45 years) and 18 reproductive health providers, recruited from urban health clinics in Tehran using non-probability sampling, participated in four focus group discussions. Sexual health information needs related to reproductive tract and sexually transmitted infections, “acceptability” of certain sexual practices such as oral and anal intercourse, and the sexual response cycles and physiology of men and women. Women’s sexual concerns related to communication, incompatibility of sexual interests and desire, and their ability to maintain a strong marriage. Two themes cut across women’s responses to all questions: modesty and maintaining a strong marriage. Results contributed to the design of a sex education program that addressed the specific information needs and concerns of Iranian women.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran, Iran, under the contract #240/7659, dated 13/03/2004.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N9B 3P4

    Khosro Refaie Shirpak & Eleanor Maticka-Tyndale

  2. Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Maryam Chinichian

  3. Department of Human Development and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada

    Maryam Chinichian

  4. School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Ghods St. Enghelab Ave, Tehran, Iran, 6446-14155

    Hassan Eftekhar Ardebili & Abolghasem Pourreza

  5. School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Evin Square, Tehran, Iran

    Ali Ramenzankhani

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  1. Khosro Refaie Shirpak
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Correspondence to Khosro Refaie Shirpak.

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Shirpak, K.R., Chinichian, M., Maticka-Tyndale, E. et al. A Qualitative Assessment of the Sex Education Needs of Married Iranian Women. Sexuality & Culture 12, 133–150 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-008-9023-0

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