• Zahra Bostani Khalesi, Masoumeh Simbar, and Seyed Ali Azin.
• Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
• Afr Health Sci. 2017 Jun 1; 17 (2): 382-390.

BackgroundSexual health education for Iranian engaged couples is always ignored in the premarital education program.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the necessity of sexual health education for Iranian engaged couples.Materials And MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted in Rasht, Iran. The studied sample consisted of 38 engaged men and women; and also 9 health experts and policymakers. We used interview guides to collect data. The data was analyzed through content analysis method.ResultsAnalyzing participants' perspectives revealed six themes including: (1) socio-cultural changes, (2) emerging social pathologies, (3) inadequate sexual knowledge; (4) challenges in providing sexual health services, (5) individual consequences and (6) social consequences.ConclusionMost participants emphasized the necessity of sexual health education not only because of medical concerns, but also from the perspective of social issues. Providing these services should be considered a priority.

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