The effect of sexual education based on the Sexual Health Model on sexual function among women living in the suburbs: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Introduction Suburban population is increasingly growing in Iran. People in the suburbs usually have limited sexual information and there are limited studies into their sexual issues. This study aims the effect of sexual education (SE) based on the Sexual Health Model (SHM) on sexual functioning among women living in the suburbs. Methods This is a randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups. Seventy-six women will be selected through simple random sampling from healthcare centers in suburban areas and will be allocated to a control group (n = 38) and an intervention group (n = 38) with a randomization ratio of 1:1. Participants in the intervention group will receive SHM-based SE in three120 min weekly sessions which will be held using the lecture, question-and-answer, group discussion, and educational booklet methods. Data will be collected through a demographic and midwifery characteristics questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and the Sexual Quality of Life-Female, and will be analyzed through the analysis of covariance as well as the independent-sample t, the paired-sample t, and the Chi-square tests. Discussion We hope this study provides a clear framework for decision-makers and healthcare providers to provide appropriate policies and interventions for SE and thereby improve the sexual health of women in the suburbs. Trial registration: This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials on 2024.03.05 (code: IRCT20231121060133N1).