Raziyeh Maasoumi1, Fatemeh Zarei2, Effat Merghati-Khoei3, Taylor Lawson4, Seyyed Hasan Emami-Razavi5. 1. Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (BASIR), Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, Faculty of Medicine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. 3. Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (BASIR), Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Department of Human Services, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA. 5. Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (BASIR), Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: emami_r@health.gov.ir.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To develop a sexual needs rehabilitation framework in women after spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Mixed-methods study. The study consisted of 3 steps: (1) a primary needs assessment with quantitative and qualitative methods; (2) prioritization of identified needs by expert panels; and (3) development of a framework. SETTING: Multi-dimensional clinical referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Married women (N=31) with an SCI that occurred at least 1 year ago. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Development of sexual needs rehabilitation framework. RESULTS: The quantitative phase in the first phase showed that the total mean ± SD score of the Sexual Quality of Life-Female questionnaire was 60.47±1.53, and the total mean ± SD score of the Female Sexual Function Index was 50.54±11.35. Moreover, women's sexual understanding post-SCI in the qualitative assessment revealed the following 3 main themes: (1) "dilemma leading to limited sexual activity"; (2) "seeking positive sexual adjustment"; and (3) "lack of client-based sexual and reproductive education/counseling in the rehabilitation process." Results from prioritizing identified needs in the second step indicated that the most important needs related to sexual aspects of life. In the final step, the framework for Iranian woman with post-SCI sexual rehabilitative needs developed with focus on sexual behavior complication post-SCI as a main need. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to assess probable unmet needs before designing, planning, and implementing an interventional rehabilitative health care program, especially when focusing on issues of sexuality. A developed framework can be applied by the rehabilitation team during initial caregiving and can be continued as long as needed.
OBJECTIVE: To develop a sexual needs rehabilitation framework in women after spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Mixed-methods study. The study consisted of 3 steps: (1) a primary needs assessment with quantitative and qualitative methods; (2) prioritization of identified needs by expert panels; and (3) development of a framework. SETTING: Multi-dimensional clinical referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Married women (N=31) with an SCI that occurred at least 1 year ago. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Development of sexual needs rehabilitation framework. RESULTS: The quantitative phase in the first phase showed that the total mean ± SD score of the Sexual Quality of Life-Female questionnaire was 60.47±1.53, and the total mean ± SD score of the Female Sexual Function Index was 50.54±11.35. Moreover, women's sexual understanding post-SCI in the qualitative assessment revealed the following 3 main themes: (1) "dilemma leading to limited sexual activity"; (2) "seeking positive sexual adjustment"; and (3) "lack of client-based sexual and reproductive education/counseling in the rehabilitation process." Results from prioritizing identified needs in the second step indicated that the most important needs related to sexual aspects of life. In the final step, the framework for Iranian woman with post-SCI sexual rehabilitative needs developed with focus on sexual behavior complication post-SCI as a main need. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to assess probable unmet needs before designing, planning, and implementing an interventional rehabilitative health care program, especially when focusing on issues of sexuality. A developed framework can be applied by the rehabilitation team during initial caregiving and can be continued as long as needed.
Authors: Jennifer Ann Piatt; Ivanka Simic Stanojevic; Cedomir Stanojevic; Melissa L Zahl; Mary Ann Richmond; Debra Herbenick Journal: Front Rehabil Sci Date: 2022-05-06