| Description |
Factors related to sexual satisfaction of primigravidous couples during pregnancy were investigated using Green and associates’ (1980) PRECEDE framework for health education. PRECEDE is an acronym for predisposing, reinforcing and enabling causes for educational diagnosis and evaluation. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were significant relationships between selected predisposing, reinforcing and enabling factors and sexual satisfaction as a basis for determining educational needs of primigravidous couples regarding sexual activity in pregnancy. Two research questions were posed: (1) What are the relationships between predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors in primigravidous couples and sexual satisfaction or lack of satisfaction in pregnancy? (2) What are the relationships between sexual satisfaction and lack of satisfaction, and specified demographic variables including religious affiliation and commitment, educational level achieved, and occupation? Data on subjects were collected through the use of a questionnaire administered a prenatal classes and prenatal clinics in the Salt Lake City Valley. The study sample consisted of 44 primigravidous married couples with good health who lived in the same household. The women were between 32 and 28 weeks gestation. The level of statistical significance was set at p<.05. Predisposing factors including: (a) attitudes toward the pregnancy and continuation of sexual activity in pregnancy, (b) value attached to the sexual relationship in the marriage and to the continuation of the sexual relationship during pregnancy, and (c) knowledge of the physiological and psychological changes in pregnancy and the safety of sexual activity in pregnancy were significantly correlated with sexual satisfaction. Husbands who found their wives attractive had greater sexual satisfaction. Needs for information expressed by couples were not adequately discussed by health care providers. Encouragement by individuals for the continuation of sexual activity during pregnancy ( a reinforcing factor) was significantly related to sexual satisfaction. Enabling factors including: (a) sources of information about sexual activity, (b) comfort in discussing sex with the health care provider, and (c) adaption in stimulation techniques in foreplay and positions for intercourse were not related to sexual satisfaction. Miscellaneous factors including satisfaction with positions for intercourse, perception of the spouse’s sexual satisfaction, frequency of intercourse, and sense of emotional closeness in the sexual relationship and strong correlation with sexual satisfaction, Orgasm for women was not related to sexual satisfaction. Comparison of husbands’ and wives’ responses to all questions showed some significant differences which could indicate communication deficiencies between partners and the need for information from health care providers. Results of this study may be helpful to nurses and other health care providers who counsel couples or participate in educational program for clients. Support is lent to expanding educational program which focus on interpersonal relationships and communication between partners. Limitations of the study were examined and recommendations for clinical practice and further study were made. |
