Explaining sexual self-care status and its predictor factors in women referring to healthcare centers of Sari, Iran, 2021

Abstract

Introduction With the increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and chronic health problems along with population growth, one of the definitions that is expanding is the ability to adapt and self-manage against diseases and self-care. Although there are several studies to examine self-care in medical conditions, there are not enough concepts and data related to sexual self-care. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of explaining the status of sexual self-care and its predictor factors in women of reproductive age referring to healthcare centers. Material and methods This research was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 400 women of reproductive age that referring to healthcare centers affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari in 2021. Data were collected using personal-obstetric characteristics and sexual self-care questionnaires in women of reproductive age. Pearson correlation coefficients, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regression model were used to analyze the data. Results The average total score of sexual self-care in reproductive age women participating in the research was 70.66% ± 12.52%. In addition, the prevention of women's cancers and the prevention of unintended pregnancies obtained the lowest and highest scores, respectively. Factors such as age, education, education related to medical sciences, history of HIV testing, history of HPV vaccination, source of sexual information, method of contraception and infection-related action in a person can affect the level of sexual self-care in women. Based on the final regression model, education related to medical sciences (B = 5.46, P = 0.035), family income (B = 5.58, P = 0.025), prevention method (B = 10.127, P = 0.000) and action related to infection in the person (B = 12.27, P = 0.047) were the final predictors of sexual self-care score in reproductive age women. Conclusion Based on the findings of the study, development of self-care promotion programs for reproductive aged women are necessary in all areas of reproductive health, with a priority for women’s cancer prevention, and focusing on promoting education and related economic assistance. The results of this study can be available to experts and policy makers to design programs to promote sexual self-care in women.

Knowledge of self-care intervention on sexual and reproductive health and its associated factors among women in internally displaced persons camps of North Central Nigeria

“…Numerous factors have been identi ed in the literature to be associated with the knowledge of self-care interventions among women. In studies conducted within the non-camp settings, economic status, health system nancing, gender inequality, access to the health service system, age, education, women's independence, knowledge dissemination, reduction of stigma, capacity building of healthcare professionals and accessibility were established as in uential factors (12,18,19). Some systematic reviews on self-care interventions were mainly carried out in humanitarian settings which indicated the role of health workers, enabling environment, women's characteristics, sociocultural, environmental, and political factors as key drivers of self-care interventions (3,6).…”

Women’s self-care for Coronavirus prevention and the related factors in Iran: A cross-sectional study

“…Given the importance of self-care for COVID-19 prevention for the control and management of the COVID-19 epidemic crisis [10], it is important to evaluate the self-care behavior of individuals. For instance, self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed in Mixico-City and showed 66 to 80% complied with self-care recommendations [11], Many studies in Iran and other countries are concentrated on reproductive health self-care [23][24][25][26][27]. However, to our knowledge there were no study assessed women's self-care for Coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention and its related factors.…”