Social Determinants of Couple's Sexual Awareness Before Marriage

Abstract

In Iranian society, there is sometimes a negative social and cultural perception associated with experiences related to sex. Despite sex being a natural physiological aspect, many beliefs surrounding it are shaped by social and cultural misconceptions. This study focuses on exploring the social determinants influencing the awareness of couples about sexual health before marriage. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study utilized a sexual awareness questionnaire with a score range of 0-136, validated in Iran. The questionnaire was administered to 180 couples seeking counseling and premarital tests at the Asadabadi Center in Tabriz. Participants were conveniently selected from clients visiting pre-marriage counseling centers, and data collection took place on three days per week during the winter months of 1401 until the sample size was achieved. The questionnaires were distributed by a project partner (a medical student) and a trained interviewer, providing necessary explanations when needed. Results: The overall sexual awareness score among study participants was 101.96±10.57. Comparison between men and women revealed non-significantly higher sexual awareness among women (p=0.078). Subscale comparisons indicated that women performed non-significantly better than men in all areas of sexual awareness (p˃0.05). Additionally, a significant increase in sexual awareness was observed with higher levels of education (p=0.041).