The Effect of a Mobile App-Based Psychosexual Intervention on Promoting Help-Seeking Behaviors for Sexual Health Issues among Iranian Newly Married Women: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Introduction Help-seeking regarding sexual health issues is low among women despite its high prevalence. The present study aims to investigate the effect of a mobile app-based psychosexual intervention on enhancing help-seeking behavior of newly married women in Iran, Rasht, regarding their sexual health issues. Methods This study was a parallel randomized controlled trial, performed during December 25, 2021, to January 12, 2022, on 140 newly married women in Iran, Rasht. Data collection tools included a demographic data questionnaire, General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ), Actual Help-Seeking Questionnaire (AHSQ), and the female sexual function index-short form (FSFI-6). The intervention group received psychosexual intervention using a mobile app, the HISSS App, while the control group received an unrelated intervention regarding menstruation hygiene using the Easy Period App. The intervention lasted 6 weeks, and the outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after, and 8 weeks after the intervention. Results A total of 119 participants successfully completed the study. The mean differences between groups for GHSQ and formal AHSQ immediately after the intervention were significant (10.49 [95% CI (8.33 to 12.65)], P < .001; (.57 [95% CI (.23 to .69)], P < .001). They remained significant after 8 weeks as well (11 [95% CI (8.02 to 13.99)], P < .001); (.69 [95% CI (.23 to 1.15)], P = .003) when compared to baseline. However, the between groups mean that differences of informal AHSQ and FSFI-6 were only significant immediately after the intervention (.52, [95% CI (.14, .90)], P = .007); (2.93 [95% CI (2.04, 3.82)], P < .001) and not after 8 weeks. Conclusions Based on the results of the present study, a mobile app-based psychosexual intervention can enhance help-seeking behavior regarding sexual health issues among women in a short time. Policy Implications It is recommended that public health policies prioritize community-based interventions to boost the accessibility and effectiveness of both informal and formal help-seeking sources.