Effect of Sexual Health Education Based on Health Belief and Pender Health Promotion Models on the Sexual Function of Females with Type II Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disease, and one of its consequences is reduced sexual function. Sexual health education is one of the approaches to overcome this condition. In health education, different models have been designed to change harmful behaviors in society. These models include Health Belief Model and Pender Health Promotion. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sexual health education based on two models of Pender and Health Belief on sexual function of females with type II diabetes.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 diabetic patients who were selected through convenience sampling. The data were collected using demographic characteristics form and Rosen's sexual function questionnaire. Before intervention, sexual function of patients was measured using Rosen questionnaire. Subsequently, the intervention group participated four 90-minute educational sessions on a weekly basis in accordance with the educational model. Following that, the intervention group were asked to complete the Rosen questionnaire again. The obtained data were imported into SPSS software (version 21) and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Comparison of pre-test and post-test showed an increase in the mean total score of sexual function and sub-scales of Pender in the intervention group from 17.93 (2.21) to 20.69 (2.22). It should be mentioned that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in this regard before and after the intervention (P=0.000). Moreover, the mean score of sexual function and its subscales in the Health Belief group increased from 18 (2.97) to 21.65 (2.38), which showed a statistically significant difference before and after the intervention in this group (P=0.000). Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in this regard (P˂0.05).

Comparison of sexual function scores after the intervention in both groups indicated that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups, except for the scale of psychological stimulation. According to the results of this study, it seems that the utilization of educational models based on Pender Health Promotion Model and Health Belief Model have significant effects on the sexual function of females with type II diabetes.