The Impact of Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes on Sexual Function Among Health Service Providers: A Structural Equation Model

Sexuality plays an indispensable role in daily life. Therefore, positive sexual relationships and function are increasingly recognized as important contributors to overall health and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the sexual knowledge, attitudes, sexual function, and effect of the demographic variables on female primary healthcare providers, which have not been reported before.

This cross-sectional study enrolled 323 female primary health service providers from 41 healthcare centers affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected between December 2022 and February 2023. The study utilized a demographic form, the Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale (SKAS) (score between 20 and 100), and the Sexual Function Short Form Inventory (SFSI-6) (score between 5 and 30). The correlation between sexual knowledge, attitudes, and sexual function was analyzed using structural equation modeling.

The average scores for sexual knowledge, attitude, and sexual function were below the cut-off, with scores of 39.5 ± 7.59, 39.6 ± 4.82, and 18 ± 3.43, respectively. There was a positive effect of sexual knowledge on sexual attitudes (P < 0.001) and sexual function (P < 0.001). Among the independent variables, age was negatively correlated with sexual function (P = 0.016).

The findings highlight the importance of sexual knowledge in determining the attitude of sexuality and sexual function among healthcare providers. It is important to acknowledge their needs and offer support to improve their sexual well-being.

It is necessary to regularly evaluate healthcare providers’ knowledge and understanding of sexual health. These evaluations can help identify areas where training or support can be provided to healthcare providers. Additionally, they can provide valuable insights for policymakers to align policies with evolving societal attitudes and changing healthcare needs.