A brief package of tele-sexual counseling based on Islamic emotion-focused therapy versus tele-sexual health education on sexual intimacy in pregnant women: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Physical and emotional changes in pregnancy may reduce sexual intimacy. Pregnant women need empowerment through short-term cultural-based interventions regarding sexual intimacy for better expression of sexual beliefs and expectations. Since studies are limited regarding Islamic emotion-focused therapy (IEFT), this study was conducted to compare the effect of tele-sexual counseling (IEFT) versus tele-sexual health education on sexual intimacy in pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A parallel randomized clinical trial was conducted among 52 pregnant women with gestational age at least 20-24 weeks through convince sampling referred to Amir Social Welfare Clinic, who were randomly assigned into two groups (each group = 26 women). The intervention group received online six weekly IEFT, and the control group participated in online sexual health education. Primary outcome sexual intimacy was measured via Botlani's sexual intimacy questionnaire at baseline, end of intervention at week 6, and follow-up at week 10. Secondary outcome satisfaction was assessed via a satisfaction scale at weeks 6 and 10 of the intervention. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, the T-test, the analysis of variance, and repeated measures in SPSS. RESULTS: Sexual intimacy was not significantly different between the two groups at baseline. Sexual intimacy was significantly high in the intervention group in weeks 6 (intervention group: 83.12 +/- 5.22 versus control group: 70.62 +/- 4.42) (P < 0.001) and 10 (intervention group: 84.08 +/- 5.03 versus control group: 70.54 +/- 4.37) (P < 0.001). Satisfaction in week 6 was 52.38 +/- 10.48 in the intervention group versus 42.69 +/- 10.98 in the control group (P = 0.001), and at week 10, it was 55.58 +/- 10.71 in the intervention group versus 45.12 +/- 11.56 in the control group (P = 0.001), with more satisfaction in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: Both short-term tele-interventions, IEFT or sexual health, improved sexual intimacy and satisfaction, but Islamic EFT was significantly superior. It seems women need cultural-religious-based interventions such as IEFT to facilitate positive sexual relationship changes, assertiveness in sexual emotion expression, and compassion through the sharing of skills with the husband that can continue individually even after intervention. The study findings can be applied to midwifery education, prenatal care booklets, couple and sex counselors and therapists, and other health care providers.